Latest news with #Albanians
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
How has immigration enforcement in the EU evolved over the past year?
There was a decrease of 27.4% in the number of citizens found to be illegally present in EU countries in 2024, according to the latest Eurostat figures. Germany, France and Italy together represented more than half of all third-country nationals found to be illegally present in the EU last year. Close to 57% of refusals happened at land crossings, largely on the Polish, Croatian and Romanian frontiers. Air borders handled 39.8% of rejected travellers, with France alone turning back 7,800 people. Meanwhile, only 3.4% of total refusals were at sea borders. Italy reported the highest numbers of refusals at the EU sea borders, followed by France. The largest number of people refused entry into the EU in 2024 was recorded for Ukrainians, Albanians and Moldovans. Ukrainian citizens who were refused entry into the EU mainly attempted to cross the land borders with Poland and Romania. These individuals did not benefit from temporary protection. Most Albanian citizens were refused entry at the Greek, Croatian, Hungarian and Lithuanian land borders, or the Italian air and sea borders. Meanwhile, most Moldovans were refused entry at the Romanian, Polish and Latvian land borders. Almost 50% of the refusals of entry were explained by not-justified purpose or conditions of the stay and absence of a valid visa or residence permit. The number of third-country nationals returned increased by 19.3% compared to the previous year. Georgian citizens were subject to the highest number of returns in the EU, with 11,585 of them returned to a third country. They were followed by Turks (7,910), Albanians (7,810) and Moldovans (4,970). 53.8% of returns to third countries were voluntary, while 46.2% were forced. In Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Czechia, more than 90% of third-country nationals returned voluntarily. Only Italy reported all returns as forced returns.
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Wales Online
'Gardeners' caught in £450,000 school cannabis farm ordered to pay just £1
'Gardeners' caught in £450,000 school cannabis farm ordered to pay just £1 The former school was being used to grow and process industrial quantities of cannabis Inside the large-scale cannabis growing operation in an abandoned school (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) Three men caught working for an organised crime group in an industrial-scale cannabis farm in a former school building have been ordered to each pay £1 following a proceeds of crime investigation. Albanians Armeld Troksi, Njazi Gjana, and Ervin Gjana were working as so-called "gardeners" in the drug production operation in an abandoned primary school in Llandysul, Ceredigion, when police officers raided the property in November last year. Troksi was found hiding in a toilet, Njazi Gjana ran off down a corridor but was chased and caught while Ervin Gjana managed to exit the building and flee into the countryside leading to a search involving ground units and a drone in the air. He was caught later the same day, "soaking wet and covered in bramble scratches", walking along the road towards Pencader. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter Swansea Crown Court had previously heard how the cannabis operation involved some 737 plants growing in seven rooms with accompanying lights, heaters, ventilation, and a watering system. Another 82 already-harvested plants were found hanging up in a "drying room" in the school. Police also found a living area stocked with "a large mount of food" and which had washed clothes hanging up to dry. (Left to right) Njazi Gjana, Ervin Gjana, and Armeld Troksi Article continues below In January this year Armeld Troksi, 29, of Empire Avenue, Edmonton, London, was sentenced to three years and dour months in prison, Njazi Gjana, 27, also of of Empire Avenue, Edmonton, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, and 24-year-old Ervin Gjana, of Durham Avenue, Romford, London, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years after all three pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. The crime gang behind the Llandysul drugs factory has not been identified. When the case came back to court for a proceeds of crime hearing Brian Simpson, prosecuting, told the court that the benefit figure for the criminal conduct was £458,000 but financial investigators had been unable to identify any assets belonging to the defendants. He invited the court to make nominal £1 confiscation orders. The defendants were not legally represented but the court heard their previous solicitors had emailed the court to say the confiscation orders would not be challenged. Speaking through an Albanian interpreter judge Paul Thomas KC asked the defendants - who were appearing via videolink from Swansea Prison - whether they understood what the prosecution was seeking. The defendants said they did. To double-check, the judge asked the defendants to raise their hands if they understood the figures involved. Article continues below The three defendants raised their hands. Judge Thomas made the orders the requested and set seven days in prison in default of payment for each defendant.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Private yachts an ‘easy, low-risk' route for bringing illegal migrants into UK
Private yachts are an 'easy, low-risk' route for bringing illegal migrants into the UK, a former British soldier turned people smuggler has claimed. The former soldier interviewed by the BBC said he had transported dozens of Vietnamese migrants by yacht into private marinas in south coast seaside towns until he was caught and convicted in 2019. He claimed the routes were still being used by smugglers because of the low risk of being caught at marinas that could be protected with no more security than a caravan site. His comments come after Border Force last month intercepted a yacht off the coast of Cornwall which was carrying 20 Albanians, comprising 19 men and one woman. The ex-soldier, who the BBC named as 'Nick', said he had chosen to speak out now because he was 'angry' he had been jailed for a crime that was still very possible to commit. He claimed to know people who, in the past year, had used the same routes and methods as him. The smuggling routes – whether by yacht or ferry – were 'easy' and 'low-risk', he said. Border Force is responsible for securing the 11,000 miles of UK coastline, but the security of harbours and marinas rests with private operators, Charlie Eastaugh, the force's director of maritime, told the BBC. 'We patrol 24/7, we carry out proactive, as well as reactive, operations,' he said – citing the luxury yacht, hiding the 20 Albanians below deck, which was intercepted en route to Newquay in Cornwall last month. Two harbourmasters, speaking anonymously to the BBC, agreed that private marinas were an easy target for people smugglers because they were not manned 24/7. One based in Essex likened security to a caravan site and said that someone could hide people in a boat 'easily'. 'In a busy marina in peak season, with a lot of people coming in and out, it would be very easy to do this,' they said. In Kent, Thanet District Council – which is responsible for Ramsgate Marina – said it was Border Force, and not individual harbours, that was 'the frontline response for immigration and illegal activities'. 'Staff at the port and harbour are vigilant and report any concerns or suspicions directly to Border Force for them to follow up,' said a spokesman. Some 13,574 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year on small boats, up 37 per cent on the 9,874 arrivals at the same point last year. Former Border Force director general Tony Smith, said the 'vast majority' of the agency's resources were currently deployed to the Small Boats Operational Command – focusing on specific routes used by large numbers of people crowded into small craft. 'My preference certainly would be to be able to deploy more widely and to look more across the whole of the UK coastline to identify threats,' he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Epoch Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Home Office to Publish Nationalities of Foreign Criminals
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has, on Tuesday, ordered the Home Office to release detailed figures on foreign national offenders (FNOs) within the immigration system by the end of the year. Her decision will require a significant overhaul of the department's statistical processes after officials initially advised that compiling and publishing such data would be too complex. For the first time, the Home Office is expected to publish a breakdown of the nationalities of foreign criminals currently awaiting deportation from the UK. Under existing rules, There are currently Government sources anticipate that the data will highlight Albanians, Romanians, and Poles as the most represented nationalities among those awaiting deportation. Related Stories 10/16/2023 3/7/2023 The most common offences are expected to include drug production and supply, various types of theft and robbery and acts of violent assault. 'Any foreign national who abuses our hospitality by committing serious crimes should be in no doubt—they will face the full force of the law and be removed from the UK at the earliest opportunity. 'We are committed to ensuring the public is better informed about the number of foreign criminals awaiting deportation, their countries of origin, and the crimes they have committed. This is why, for the first time, ministers have directed officials to produce a broader range of data on this group and to publish it in a transparent manner,' a Home Office spokesperson said. Rising Numbers Official statistics reveal that the number of FNOs awaiting deportation rose to 19,244 by the end of 2024, up from 17,907 when the Conservative government left office in July, and significantly higher than the 14,640 recorded at the end of 2022. This increase comes despite The Home Office is currently upgrading its Once completed, officials say the new system will allow for more detailed and accurate statistical releases, potentially starting by the end of 2025. Until then, further breakdowns—such as offence types and nationalities—will be published as 'experimental statistics'. Political Pressure The announcement follows sustained pressure from opposition figures to disclose more information on migrant crime. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick welcomed the news, adding that the British public 'deserve the truth about migrant crime and the costs of low-skilled immigration.' 'The cover-up is coming to an end. We'll finally see the hard reality—that mass migration is fuelling crime across our country,' he said. The Conservative minister has long campaigned for greater transparency on this issue. Last year, he 'Following over a year of pressure from campaigners—including my own attempt to change the law—it appears there's been a breakthrough.' Jenrick Shadow home secretary Chris Philp Home Office officials have cautioned that detailed breakdowns will depend on the successful completion of system upgrades and the resolution of data recording gaps. Quicker Deportation Pledge Foreign inmates make up around 12 percent of the prison population across England and Wales. Last month the government Prisons minister James Timpson said it was unacceptable for taxpayers to fund the detention of foreign criminals. Since elected into government, Labour removed 2,580 foreign criminals, a 23 percent increase on the same period 12 months prior. 'Under this government removals are up by nearly a quarter. We're now taking action to ensure this is done swifter, easing pressure on overcrowded prisons and on the public purse,' said Timpson. PA Media contributed to this report.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rugby coach delighted to see her side run out winners in play-off final
Old Albanians head coach Sarah McKenna was delighted to see her side run out 33-19 winners over Richmond in the Papa Johns Women's Championship Play-off final. A double from Makeda Lewis along with efforts from Lucy Biggs, May Goulding and Alex Kane proved the difference at the home of English rugby in Twickenham despite a spirited fightback from Richmond. Having represented the Red Roses during her playing days, McKenna knows a thing or two about elite level rugby and she expressed her delight at watching her side rise to the occasion at HQ. 'What a game to demonstrate the quality of this Championship,' she said. 'That's the thing that everyone involved can be most proud of. The way the game was played by both teams, the skill level and the ambition on the field is a brilliant advert for what the league is doing. 'It's an unbelievably special competition and we have got a whole multitude of people who are playing in this Championship and making it the best it can be. 'The opportunity to come and play here at Twickenham is a huge motivator for these players and getting to play out on that turf on a May afternoon with the sun shining and two big crowds behind those teams is what dreams are made of.' The Papa Johns Community Cup is a year-long festival of community rugby and was part of the season restructure in 2023, where player feedback indicated a preference to condense the league season and create a cup competition after the regular league season had ended. Through the Papa Johns Community Cup, many clubs were able to play different opposition and visit new places, while others reignited old local rivalries, all making plenty of memories along the way. McKenna added: 'We wanted to enjoy this moment and share it with the community. That's not just those with us who were there with us on the day but those who contributed to getting us here. 'The biggest thing that we enjoy the moment regardless of the result and I think they did. 'I like to use the phrase a rising tide lifts all ships and if the grassroots game grows, the top tier of English rugby grows, whether that's the Red Roses or the Premiership. It all starts at grassroots.'
