Prime Minister Keir Starmer stands up as he addresses the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow.

He begins by thanking those in attendance and those serving in police, intelligence and security services around the world.

“What you do often goes unnoticed,” he says, adding: “Your work, your service, is what protects people from threats.”

Sir Keir confirmed that funding for Interpol projects has increased, investing £6 million this financial year.

“This includes support for improved data sharing and faster communications capabilities,” he says.

‘Bad trade must be stopped’

The Prime Minister returns to the issue of “despicable human traffickers who think that human lives can be trafficked, that borders can be ignored, that despair, misery and hope are emotions suitable for exploitation.”

This needs a “global response” on a scale “well beyond where we are now,” he says.

“There is nothing progressive about turning a blind eye while men, women and children die on the Canal.”

Sir Keir says it is a “vile trade” that “must be stigmatized wherever it develops”.

Prime Minister compared the crisis to terrorism

He adds: “I will work with anyone serious about this issue – anyone – who can offer a solution because without coordinated global action this problem will not go away.

“And unless we use all the powers we have on this issue, as we do on terrorism, we will struggle to bring these criminals to justice.”

Sir Keir says human trafficking “must be viewed as a global security threat akin to terrorism”.

“We must pool resources, share intelligence and tactics, and work together to close smuggling routes to address the problem at a high level.”