British frigate HMS Richmond has joined the EU mission in the Mediterranean to tackle migrant smugglers.

United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2240 (2015) gives her Commanding Officer the authority to conduct enforcement action on the high seas, including the boarding and seizing of boats suspected to be involved in migrant smuggling.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

“These new powers are an important step forward. We will now be able to board the boats and detain the smugglers.

Sending HMS Richmond to join HMS Enterprise in the Mediterranean shows Britain’s determination to tackle this trade in human misery at source. We’ll hit the traffickers hard.”

A liaison officer will be on board HMS Richmond to advise her crew on legal issues including the identification, collection and preservation of evidence which could be used in criminal proceedings.

HMS Richmond joins survey vessel HMS Enterprise which continues its task to locate the migrant smugglers.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

5 COMMENTS

    • UK uk fleets at its lowest were virtualy a third rate navy due to political use of it as a football the raf have always been envious of the navy,two wars and the rn took all the cuts we have too little and what we have isent suficiant to protect the uk nevermind anything elseDefence Journal

      • Maybe a slightly better answer is that the ship and its crew are getting valuable real world experience in the Mediterranean that they would not be getting cruising around and showing the flag. Tracking people smugglers and their boats is a real test of the ship’s sensors and the ability of the crew to use them.

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