The United Kingdom government on Thursday announced new measures targeting people-smuggling gangs, including travel bans 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.”
The crackdown follows the disruption of a major Afghan people-smuggling ring in a joint operation between UK and Belgian authorities.
The gang, responsible for transporting thousands of migrants across Europe, also committed serious offenses, including sexual crimes against minors.
These new powers will strengthen the work of the recently established Border Security Command, a coordinated effort supported by £150m to combat organised immigration crime.
The government’s approach also includes international partnerships with countries such as Germany and Iraq to address the global dimensions of people smuggling.