UK and Albania Unite to Combat Albanian Crime and Immigration

Strategic Insights -

Sir Keir Starmer has announced new measures on his first official visit to Albania to combat Albanian crime and immigration, including the expansion of a taskforce to intercept migrants before they reach the UK. The Prime Minister aims to build on agreements already negotiated between the UK and Tirana to fast-track deportations, which has helped to cut the number of illegal Channel crossings by Albanians by 95 per cent since 2022. The number of Albanians returned to their country has also doubled in the past two years, from 2,035 to 5,294 in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK and Albania have agreed to expand a taskforce to intercept migrants before they reach the UK, aiming to cut the number of illegal Channel crossings by Albanians by 95 per cent since 2022.
  • The number of Albanians returned to their country has doubled in the past two years, from 2,035 to 5,294 in 2024.
  • Albanians account for more than 1,200 criminals in British jails and are among the foreign nationals with the highest crime rates and most likely to be deported.
  • The UK and Albania will share DNA information to identify culprits, work to cut off the flow of "dirty money" to and from the UK, and implement more sophisticated checks for fake ID documents.
  • A new programme will help young Albanians reintegrate into society and find jobs to stop them being lured back to the UK, focusing in north Albania, the source of most illegal migration.
  • The leaders will step up cooperation to counter serious organised crime, including the funding of a new forensic evidence programme to share and track the DNA swabs of criminals in Albania to solve crimes in the UK.
  • The UK will invest a further £1 million in the partnership this year to upgrade Albania's forensics, biometrics and digital capability to detect and detain further criminals.
  • The Government has already rolled out a programme that has seen more than 55 serious criminals, including murderers and rapists, taken off Britain's streets thanks to the closer cooperation between the two countries.

Statistics:

  • 95 per cent: reduction in the number of illegal Channel crossings by Albanians since 2022.
  • 2,035: number of Albanians returned to their country in 2022.
  • 5,294: number of Albanians returned to their country in 2024.
  • £1 million: additional funding for the partnership to upgrade Albania's forensics, biometrics and digital capability to detect and detain further criminals.

Sources:

  • "UK and Albania to launch crackdown on crime and immigration" by Charles Hymas, Home Affairs Editor, The Telegraph, 2023.