London: The UK government announced on Thursday that suspected people smugglers will face severe restrictions under new laws aimed at combating illegal migration and enhancing border security. The new measures will include travel bans, social media blackouts, and limitations on phone usage for those suspected of involvement in smuggling operations. These actions are intended to aid in the government’s efforts to “dismantle organised immigration crime networks.”
“We will give law enforcement the stronger powers they need to pursue and stop more of these vile gang networks,” said Interior Minister Yvette Cooper, emphasizing the importance of border security as a key element of the government’s newly unveiled “plan for change.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who assumed office in July, has made tackling illegal migration a top priority, focusing on cracking down on the gangs that smuggle people across the English Channel. This body of water, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, serves as a dangerous route for migrants crossing from France to the UK.
In 2024, more than 36,800 people made the perilous journey across the Channel, a 25% increase from the previous year, according to government statistics. Tragically, several dozen individuals have died attempting the crossing, with the Refugee Council calling it the deadliest year on record for such attempts.
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To counter these criminal networks, the government is introducing interim serious crime prevention orders (SCPO), which will enable quicker and more immediate action to disrupt suspected criminal activity, including organised immigration crime. The new powers are designed to mirror existing measures used to combat other crimes, such as knife crime, slavery, and trafficking.
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Currently, securing an SCPO on suspects is a complex and time-consuming process. The interim orders are expected to expedite this, providing authorities with a more efficient tool in their fight against illegal migration.
