The UK’s Border Force operates under military control, reflecting a broader trend of “hyper-militarisation” in law enforcement, according to a new report on international law enforcement by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR). The report, released on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death, highlights the growth of paramilitary and “political” policing across Europe, used not only at borders but also during civil unrest and against public protests.
Key findings in the report include the Home Office’s 2020 request for support from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the creation of a clandestine Channel threat commander post within the Border Force, indicating a “hyper-militarised” approach towards border control. Liz Fekete, the report’s author and IRR director, argues that these actions at the border are not isolated but part of a broader strategy of aggressive policing that risks leading to more injuries and deaths among asylum seekers.
The report also points out the presence of plastic bullets, still used in Northern Ireland, which have been authorized for use at events such as the Notting Hill carnival and BLM protests in 2020. Additionally, it mentions the creation of discrete firearms units and the lethal consequences of the “shoot to kill” approach, as seen in the deaths of Mark Duggan and others.
Fekete criticizes the government, stating it’s time for a reassessment, as these actions do not represent policing by consent. The report also discusses the issue of less-lethal weaponry, including Tasers, which have been increasingly used across the UK and Europe, often leading to severe injuries.
Kojo Kyerewaa, from Black Lives Matter UK, argues that the British state’s aggression towards Black people on the streets is motivated by racism, pointing to theMet Police’s 5,900 plastic bullets and the training of officers to use them as instruments of terror.
In response, the Met stated that it is erroneous to suggest that the ethnicity of those involved in protests influences their tactical considerations. A Home Office spokesperson affirmed Britain’s tradition of operational independence for the police, maintaining that any use of their powers is an operational decision.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/25/uk-border-force-military-institute-of-race-relations-report
