The United Kingdom government on Thursday announced new measures targeting people-smuggling gangs, including travel ban and restrictions on phone and social media use for suspected criminals.
These actions form part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, aimed at dismantling organised immigration crime networks.
The legislation introduces Interim Orders, enabling law enforcement agencies to impose immediate restrictions on individuals suspected of people smuggling.
These orders, which can be enforced without a conviction, will be issued by the High Court to disrupt criminal activities while investigations continue.
“In a major upgrade to Serious Crime Prevention Orders, new Interim Orders will allow immediate action to disrupt and deter suspected serious criminality.
“These orders are part of a stronger approach to organised crime which will form part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
“This new approach will level up our response to serious crime including organised immigration crime, with new powers mirroring those which are already used to disrupt other harmful criminality such as knife crime, slavery and trafficking,” UK Home Office posted on its website on Thursday.
Restrictions under these orders can include bans on travel, the use of electronic devices, and access to social media platforms.
“Restrictions will vary on a case-by-case basis but could include: Travel restrictions; A ban on laptop or mobile phone usage; A ban on accessing social media networks, including via a third party,” it noted.
Limits may also be placed on financial transactions and associations with specific individuals. Breaching these restrictions could result in up to five years in prison.
The measures aim to prevent smugglers from operating freely while giving authorities the tools to investigate and prosecute more effectively.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, stated that the government is committed to tackling these dangerous networks and protecting lives, adding that people-smuggling operations undermine border security and exploit vulnerable individuals.
Cooper said, “Dangerous criminal people-smugglers are profiting from undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. They cannot be allowed to get away with it.
“Stronger international collaboration has already led to important arrests and action against dangerous gangs over the last few months. We will give law enforcement stronger powers they need to pursue and stop more of these vile gang networks.
“Border security is one of the foundations of this government’s Plan for Change, including making people better off, delivering safer streets and strengthening our NHS, and we will do everything in our power to deliver for working people.”
Cooper cited the recent success of international cooperation, such as the disruption of a major people-smuggling ring involving Afghan criminals, which saw several arrests.
Cooper also noted that this legislation forms a part of the government’s broader plan for change, which includes improving border security, increasing safety, and ensuring stronger law enforcement to address crime.
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The announcement follows the successful disruption of an Afghan people-smuggling ring earlier in the week.
A joint operation between the NCA and Belgian authorities led to the arrest of three individuals who had fled Belgium to avoid prosecution.
The gang was responsible for smuggling thousands of migrants into Europe and the UK, and its members were accused of involvement in serious criminal activities, including sexual offenses against migrant minors.
The UK government’s focus on combating people smuggling is also reflected in the establishment of the Border Security Command, a new initiative that unites key operational leaders to target and disrupt criminal gangs.
With a budget of £150 million, the initiative will work to break the business models of smuggling operations and bring offenders to justice.
The restrictions imposed under these new laws will vary, depending on the case, but they could include travel bans, limits on the use of phones and laptops, and social media access bans.
Suspects may also face restrictions on their associations, including who they can communicate with or have contact with. In addition, financial restrictions may be applied to prevent criminal profits from going untracked.
The government has made it clear that breaching these Interim Orders could result in a prison sentence of up to five years, serving as a deterrent for those engaged in serious organised crime.
In addition to new measures against smuggling, the government has made significant progress in addressing illegal immigration. Since the last election, nearly 13,500 individuals with no legal right to be in the UK have been returned to their home countries.
