Suspected people smugglers in Britain will face strict measures under new laws aimed at combating illegal migration and bolstering border security, the government announced on Thursday. These measures include travel bans, social media restrictions, and limits on phone usage to disrupt organised immigration crime networks.
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of stronger enforcement powers to dismantle these networks, framing border security as a cornerstone of the government’s recently unveiled “plan for change.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in July, has made tackling illegal migration a priority, focusing on shutting down smuggling operations that transport people across the perilous English Channel from France. In 2024, over 36,800 people made the crossing—a 25% increase from the previous year—while dozens lost their lives, making it the deadliest year on record, according to the Refugee Council charity.
To address this issue, the government plans to introduce interim serious crime prevention orders (SCPOs) to disrupt suspected organised immigration crime. These new powers will allow for quicker action compared to the existing SCPO process, which is often lengthy and complex. The measures are modeled after those already used to combat other crimes, such as knife crime, slavery, and trafficking.
The government hopes that these interim orders will serve as a deterrent for criminal groups and make it significantly harder for them to operate. By targeting the tools and methods smugglers use—such as communication networks and travel logistics—the measures aim to break the infrastructure of organised immigration crime.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential implications for civil liberties, particularly the broad powers granted to law enforcement to impose restrictions on suspects who may not yet be convicted of a crime. Advocacy groups have called for safeguards to ensure that these measures are used proportionally and do not infringe on basic rights.
In response, the government has emphasized that the new laws are a necessary step to save lives and restore integrity to the UK’s immigration system. “We cannot allow criminal gangs to exploit vulnerable people and put them at risk in dangerous crossings,” Cooper said.
The measures come as part of a broader strategy to address illegal migration, including increased funding for border patrols, expanded surveillance technology, and strengthened cooperation with France and other European partners. The government has also pledged to process asylum claims more efficiently, aiming to reduce backlogs that have left thousands in limbo.
As the legislation moves through Parliament, debates are expected to focus on balancing effective enforcement with protecting the rights of individuals caught up in these measures. Nonetheless, the government remains firm in its stance, with Starmer declaring that “illegal migration will not be tolerated” under his leadership.
