UK will retain Europol membership

Europol headquarters - Image credit: PA Images

The UK will continue to be a member of the EU cross-border law enforcement agency Europol at least until Brexit, ministers have announced.

Last month the UK Government was warned that it risked losing vital intelligence unless it signed up to new powers for the body.

UK policing minister Brandon Lewis yesterday announced the UK Government will opt into the new regulations, which take effect in May 2017, “without prejudice” in relation to Brexit negotiations.

He said: "The UK is leaving the EU, but the reality of cross-border crime remains."

Lewis added: "Europol provides a valuable service to the UK and opting in would enable us to maintain our current access to the agency, until we leave the EU, helping keep the people of Britain safe."

The EU had announced plans to extend powers for Europol in May that seeks to improve the way it tackles cross-border crime and terrorism.

Britain was until now the only country not to have opted into the agreement.

Europol, which is funded through the EU, works to tackle drug gangs, trafficking and terrorism.