UK aid stops over 100 attempts to smuggle migrants through the Western Balkans since June

UK-funded support has helped Western Balkan authorities intercept more than 100 attempts to smuggle migrants since June 2026, disrupting several criminal gangs. The UK says the work is intended to make a key transit route less viable for smugglers and contribute to wider efforts to reduce irregular migration to Europe and the UK.

At a summit in Montenegro, UK Europe minister Lord Wood is expected to commit up to a further £5 million for regional institutions. The funding will support training, intelligence sharing and action against labour exploitation through the Joint Migration Task Force. Frontex recorded 12,528 irregular crossings on the Western Balkans route last year, down from 144,197 in 2022.