Suspected UK people smugglers could soon face travel bans and tighter restrictions on social media and mobile phones.
This initiative, announced Thursday, aims to reduce cross-Channel migrant arrivals by boat.
The interior ministry revealed plans to impose new interim Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) on smugglers before criminal charges.
This announcement follows the release of figures showing a dramatic increase in migrant arrivals for 2024.
Last year, authorities detected approximately 36,816 people crossing the Channel, marking a 25 percent rise from 2023’s 29,437.
Currently, imposing SCPOs on criminals involves a complex and lengthy process that hinders the government’s ability to use this powerful tool effectively.
The proposed interim orders will appear in draft legislation introduced in parliament soon.
Law enforcement agencies would be empowered to request immediate restrictions while a full order is under consideration.
Under these orders, suspects could face bans on using laptops or mobile phones, accessing social media, associating with certain individuals, or managing their finances.
Violating an interim order may result in up to five years in prison, according to the interior ministry.
Since 2008, authorities have used SCPOs to disrupt serious crimes, including knife crime, slavery, and trafficking.
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper emphasized that people smugglers threaten border security and endanger lives, stating they “cannot evade justice.”
She added, “We will empower law enforcement with stronger tools to pursue and dismantle these vile gang networks.”
However, the interim orders plan encountered immediate resistance from some civil liberties advocates.
Conservative MP David Davis, a former cabinet minister, expressed concerns in The Times, stating it “sounds unnecessarily draconian”.
He highlighted the importance of properly sequencing the processes of charging and arrest to protect the liberties of ordinary law-abiding citizens.
Meanwhile, the Refugee Council criticized the UK government’s attempts to curb cross-Channel migrant journeys.
Last year saw a record number of deaths in its waters, prompting the charity to issue a new report.
The report highlighted that intensified government enforcement has made crossings “even more dangerous,” with smugglers cramming more people into smaller boats.
The charity urged ministers to “adopt a mixed approach that combines enforcement with the introduction of safe and legal routes”.