This is general information from the gov.uk announcement. The UK-Belgium Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement was signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin.
The agreement lets officers in both countries exchange intelligence autonomously. Previous rules required judicial approval for some exchanges and caused delays during investigations.
What the agreement covers
It strengthens joint investigations and specialist training to detect migrant smuggling linked to small boat crossings. The deal also covers drugs and firearms smuggling.
Results from existing UK-Belgium work
- More than 50 arrests linked to migrant smuggling this year
- Over 40 vehicle seizures this year
- Adem Savas sentenced to 11 years and fined €400,000 in Belgium after a joint NCA investigation
The National Crime Agency has increased dedicated officers from 276 at the start of 2025 to almost 800. Those officers have helped seize more than 1,100 boats and engines since the election.