Spy satellites will be used to track migrants attempting to cross Channel in new £15m scheme
THE Home office is spending £15 million on satellites which will be able to track migrants attempting to cross the Channel from space.
Government contracts reveal that the department has forked out the huge sum for a deal with a global company which specialises in space operations.
The Luton-based branch of Telespazio UK will provide enhanced surveillance for the Joint Maritime Security Centre which ensures the country can respond to “threats to security, law and order, and the marine environment”.
It will improve the Home Office’s ability to detect “dark targets” – which do not emit tracking data – such as ships used by criminals to smuggle goods, and tiny dinghies used by Channel migrants.
Radar, hi-tech cameras and sensors have already been hired to provide 24/7 surveillance of those trying to cross the Channel in small boats.
Figures show that so far this year 36,204 migrants have arrived in the UK on small boats, with more than 150,000 crossing from France since records began in 2018.
A heavily redacted contract, published by the Government in December, shows that the contractor has to comply with the Officials Secret Act.
The contract started in November and is due to run until next September, with a total value of £15 million.
An order form reveals: “Maritime security is a key enabler to Homeland Security, surveillance of the Maritime domain for UK security requires a multi-layered approach.
“Satellite surveillance products provide longer range coverage but lack persistence, whereas terrestrial sensors such as RADAR provide persistence at shorter ranges.”
The aims of the new surveillance are listed as: “To identify vessels of interest (VOI) (especially dark targets), determine patterns of life (POL) and to enable cueing of other sensor capabilities and patrolling assets, to direct other capability/assets to the target VOI in order to undertake further surveillance or to intercept, therefore delivery of agreed products/analysis should be as near to real-time as is possible.”
The contract includes a requirement for a bi-annual review of the technology to ensure that “innovation is at the leading edge of space sensing”.
A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: “The Joint Maritime Security Centre is harnessing cutting edge technology and capabilities to provide 24/7 monitoring of UK waters and ensure our borders are secure.
“Effective use of satellites ensure we can play a key role in detecting ‘dark vessels’ at sea, such as those involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and evading sanctions.
“And in the channel, the UK is taking steps to tackle small boat crossings through our Border Security Command, recruiting more investigative officers and working more closely with our European partners to ensure the vile people smugglers are brought to justice.”
Shadow Home Secretary and former Tory Technology Minister Chris Philp told The Sun: “Tracking the passage of illegal immigrants coming across the channel will make no difference if they are simply ushered to the UK shore and then put up in plush hotels at taxpayer expense.
“This money would be better spent deporting illegal immigrants who make it to the UK.
“The Labour Government is soft on illegal immigration – Channel crossings are up over 20 per cent since the election compared to the same time last year.
“Labour was wrong to scrap the Rwanda deterrent before it even started.
“I am committed to re-introducing a Rwanda-style removals deterrent.”
He added: “The Labour Government should urgently adopt this plan to end the escalating numbers of illegal immigrants.
“1,500 illegal immigrants have crossed the channel in the last four days.
“This has to end.”
The Sun contacted Telespazio UK for comment.