Local Conservative MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews is most concerned that Europe is now a net exporter of drugs.

Mr Bushill-Matthews explained:

"I have just come back from a fact-finding trip to the Netherlands, visiting the headquarters of Europol in the Hague. Apparently the Netherlands is a major manufacturer of Ecstasy, and now supplies world markets. We have to work harder to stamp out drug production on our doorstep.

"It is also alarming that organised crime no longer relies on drugs, but has moved on to cigarette smuggling especially into the UK, as well as the illegal trafficking of immigrants.

"Given criminal gangs are now multinational and recognise no borders, Europol – which shares information across EU member states – is a vital resource in the fight against crime. I am most encouraged by the work they are doing: we can only tackle a European problem on a European scale."