# Border Security Command
The Border Security Command (BSC) was established on 5 July 2024 and is led by Martin Hewitt CBE QPM[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security). Since 2025 the office of Border Security Commander has existed on a statutory footing under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025[2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/31/enacted).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 5 July 2024[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security) |
| Leader | Martin Hewitt CBE QPM[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security) |
| Initial funding | £150 million invested in new technology, capabilities, specialist officers and international networks[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security) |
| Statutory basis | Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025: the Secretary of State must designate a civil servant as Border Security Commander, who carries out the office's functions on behalf of the Crown[2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/31/enacted) |
| FY2025/26 enforcement | 3,766 UK-led disruptions against organized immigration crime (+46%) and almost 2,000 arrests in the UK and overseas (+74%)[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible) |
| FY2025/26 crossings | Small boat arrivals up 3% (1,248 more people) year on year, but 44% lower in April–June 2026 than the previous year[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible) |
| Returns | 2,750 returns of small boat arrivals in FY2025/26 (+16%); a France pilot returned over 400 migrants in FY25/26 and over 1,000 as of June 2026[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible) |
## Background and establishment
The [Home Secretary](https://www.edgepedia.org/home-secretary) agreed to invest £150 million in new technology, capabilities, and specialist officers for law enforcement, resourcing for the BSC and further investment in international networks[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security).
Recruitment of 100 additional specialist intelligence and investigation officers to form part of a dedicated function to tackle organized immigration crime was described as well underway at the time of the announcement, alongside an uplift in the UK presence in Europol[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security). As set out in the King's Speech of 17 July 2024, the government introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to modernize the asylum and immigration system[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security).
## Legal basis and status
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 places the Border Security Commander on a statutory footing. The Act requires the Secretary of State to designate a civil servant as the Border Security Commander, who carries out the functions of that office on behalf of the Crown; service as the [Commander](https://www.edgepedia.org/commander) is service in the civil service[2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/31/enacted).
## Organisation and leadership
The command is led by the Border Security Commander. Its head is Martin Hewitt CBE QPM[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security).
To achieve these priorities, the BSC collaborates both with other government departments such as [HM Revenue and Customs](https://www.edgepedia.org/hm-revenue-and-customs) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and with operational partners such as Border Force, the [National Crime Agency](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-crime-agency), Immigration Enforcement, and policing bodies.[1](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security) Within this system the NCA acts as the operational system leader for organized immigration crime[4](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58a4759e631544544137e7/47.24_BSC_Annual_Report_WEB.pdf).
## Operations and remit
In 2025/26 law enforcement partners, led by the NCA as operational system leader for organized immigration crime, intensified operations against organized immigration crime, delivering 46% more disruptions, 74% more arrests in the UK and overseas, and seizing hundreds of boats and engines[4](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58a4759e631544544137e7/47.24_BSC_Annual_Report_WEB.pdf).
## By the numbers
The Border Security Commander's annual report for 2025 to 2026 reports the following[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible):
- **Small boat crossings** rose by 3% in FY2025/26 compared with the previous financial year, an increase of 1,248 arrivals, but numbers started to fall in the second half of the year; the increase between 2023/24 and 2024/25 had been 22%. Arrivals in April, May, and June 2026 were 44% lower than the previous year.
- **Disruptions and arrests**: 3,766 UK-led disruptions related to organized immigration crime in 2025/26, a 46% increase, and almost 2,000 arrests in the UK and overseas, a 74% increase. International enforcement drove a 50% rise in arrests overseas.
- **Returns**: returns of small boat arrivals rose 16% to 2,750 in FY2025/26. A pilot scheme with France returned over 400 migrants in FY25/26 and over 1,000 as of June 2026. Improved returns arrangements were made for three common small boat nationalities to speed up removals[4](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58a4759e631544544137e7/47.24_BSC_Annual_Report_WEB.pdf).
- **Seizures**: hundreds of boats and engines were seized[4](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58a4759e631544544137e7/47.24_BSC_Annual_Report_WEB.pdf).
## Assessment and measures of success
The Commander states that the primary measure of success is the number of arrivals[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible). On that primary measure, the first full year showed a small rise in arrivals with a marked fall in the second half of the year and into the following quarter[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible).
The annual report itself qualifies the enforcement picture: while international enforcement drove a 50% rise in arrests overseas, evidence of long-term impact on criminal business models remains limited so far[3](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible).
## References
1. [Delivering Border Security, UK Home Office policy statement](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-border-security-statement/delivering-border-security)
2. [Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/31/enacted)
3. [Border Security Commander's annual report 2025 to 2026 (accessible), GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026/border-security-commanders-annual-report-2025-to-2026-accessible)
4. [The Border Security Commander's Annual Report (PDF), GOV.UK](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58a4759e631544544137e7/47.24_BSC_Annual_Report_WEB.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Conflict and security › Armed forces and security organizations › Police forces and law-enforcement agencies › Police forces of other countries*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license