A new set of measures aimed at tackling people smuggling in the UK has been announced, with plans to introduce a criminal offence for endangering lives at sea, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to five years. Border officials will also gain powers to seize migrants’ phones to gather intelligence on smuggling networks.
The new legislation, set to be included in the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, seeks to take action earlier in the smuggling process. Under the new rules, those convicted of acts in preparation for smuggling, such as buying boat parts, could face up to 14 years in prison. This move aims to disrupt criminal gangs at an earlier stage of their operations.
The new offence targeting endangerment at sea could result in prosecution for individuals involved in coercing or intimidating others to board unsafe boats or who refuse rescue outside UK waters. Investigators have reported that many small boat journeys across the English Channel are perilous, with some passengers being forced to board by members of the smuggling gangs. In some cases, migrants have been found holding babies out to prevent others from getting on the boat.
The proposed powers are inspired by counter-terrorism measures and will allow officials to impose restrictions on suspected smugglers, including travel bans or social media monitoring. Officials will also be able to prosecute individuals involved in promoting smuggling activities, including booking passengers and arranging meetings in northern France.
The UK government has said these measures are part of a broader strategy to combat people smuggling, with a particular focus on going after gangs before illegal crossings take place. Law enforcement agencies will have enhanced tools to arrest and charge gang members or seek their extradition before boats leave France. The approach draws from strategies used in the fight against terrorism, where authorities have used “preparatory” powers to arrest suspects before crimes occur.
One of the new measures targets the handling or sale of boat parts, which could be linked to people smuggling operations. Under the new law, individuals involved in promoting or facilitating illegal crossings, such as arranging boat bookings, could also face prosecution.
Despite support for the measures, critics argue that the government’s focus on policing powers overlooks the need for safer routes for refugees. Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, expressed concern that the new offences could lead to the prosecution of refugees themselves.
The government insists that these new tools will enable law enforcement to better disrupt smuggling operations, pointing to recent international efforts, such as agreements with Germany and Bulgaria, to target gangs operating across borders.
Ministers hope that these measures, combined with a new Border Security Commander to coordinate operations, will have a significant impact on reducing people smuggling. They believe the new legislation will give authorities the necessary tools to dismantle smuggling networks and hold criminals accountable.
