LONDON, January 2, 2025 - The UK government has announced stringent new laws aimed at combating people smuggling as part of its efforts to address illegal migration and enhance border security. The measures will impose severe restrictions on individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling operations.
Under the new regulations, suspected smugglers will face travel bans, social media blackouts, and limitations on phone usage. Interior Minister Yvette Cooper emphasized the government's commitment to dismantling organized immigration crime networks, stating that stronger law enforcement powers are essential to tackle these criminal activities.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in July 2024, has made it a priority to curb illegal migration, particularly by targeting gangs facilitating dangerous crossings of the English Channel from France. Government data indicates that over 36,800 individuals made such crossings in 2024, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Tragically, several dozen have lost their lives during these perilous attempts, with the Refugee Council labeling 2024 as the deadliest year on record for these crossings.
The proposed interim serious crime prevention orders (SCPO) will enable immediate intervention against suspected organized immigration crime, streamlining the process that previously required complex legal procedures. These new powers are intended to align with existing measures used to combat other serious offenses, such as knife crime and human trafficking.