The Border Security Command (BSC) provides strategic leadership across the UK’s border security system, bringing together domestic and international partners to disrupt the organised crime groups that facilitate irregular migration, including small boat crossings.
At its core, the Command exists to provide a clear, long-term vision for border security. It works across policy, intelligence, and operational delivery to protect the integrity of the UK’s border and immigration systems, ensuring a coordinated response to increasingly complex and adaptive criminal networks.
This approach is delivering results. In the 12 months to September 2025, disruptions of organised crime gangs increased by a third. But the challenge continues to evolve, and the ambition is to go further.
With Border Security one of the central themes of this year’s Security & Policing, we are keen to engage industry on how cutting-edge technology, innovation, and expertise can support the fight against organised immigration crime.
Experiencing Border Security First-Hand
A key feature of this year’s exhibition is the immersive experience Borderline: The Traffickers’ Trail. This interactive experience places participants in the shoes of those working to disrupt organised immigration crime, challenging them to think through real-world decisions, intelligence gaps, and operational pressures. The immersive is designed not just to inform, but to provoke discussion on where industry capability, technology, and insight could make a meaningful difference.
Engaging with Leadership and Policy
Delegates at Security & Policing will also have the opportunity to hear directly from the Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt CBE QPM, who will host a roundtable discussion with industry on the role of intelligence in tackling organised immigration crime (date and time to be confirmed). Details of the roundtable will be shared soon. Martin will also take part in the conference’s keynote thought-leadership panel.
In addition, colleagues from the Border Security Command will be available throughout the event in the Government Zone , offering opportunities to discuss the Command’s strategy, recent policy developments, and how intelligence is gathered, analysed, and applied across the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Border Security Command operational or strategic?
The Border Security Command is both. Since November 2025, it has been responsible for Maritime and Small Boats Operations and Home Office Intelligence functions, alongside its leadership of border security strategy, policy, and domestic and international taskforces.
What role does industry play?
Industry plays a critical role across multiple areas, including maritime capability, surveillance, reconnaissance and detection, intelligence gathering and analysis, and the digital tools and workflows used by policing and enforcement partners. Continued collaboration with industry is essential to staying ahead of organised criminal networks and strengthening the UK’s border security.
