UK warned to maintain Europol access after Brexit

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Britain could be more vulnerable to terrorism and organized crime if it cannot secure a partnership with Europol -- the EU’s law enforcement agency -- after Brexit, the body’s U.K. director said on Thursday.

Rob Wainwright said in a special interview with SKY a lack of access to The Hague-based organization's intelligence sharing could cause security problems.

"I have seen how threats of terrorism and organized crime have become more global and the need for greater international police cooperation is absolutely essential to keep us safe,” Wainwright said.

"Mechanisms such as Europol provide an important part of the way in which the law-enforcement community in Britain and other countries around Europe can discharge those responsibilities," he added.

Stating Britain’s exit from the EU would automatically end its membership of Europol unless a special deal is struck during U.K.-EU negotiations, Wainwright described the agency as a vital tool in fighting crime.

"We [Europol] are dealing with thousands of cases every year between these countries of very serious criminals, and even terrorists, that are identified and extradited under the terms of the warrant," Wainwright said.

The Europol director also argued that Britain’s valuable contribution to the agency could be something the remaining 27 member states would not like to lose after Brexit.