People-smuggling suspects could soon be hit with travel bans and social media restrictions under new proposed legislation designed to intensify the crackdown on organised immigration crime. The Government has declared that it will reinforce court orders to limit the activities of those being probed for these offences, with a draft bill set to be unveiled in the forthcoming weeks.
The Home Office plans include potential prohibitions for suspects on using laptops or mobile phones, engaging with social media platforms, interacting with specified individuals, or accessing their own funds. Though Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) are already available to restrain the movements of individuals associated with organised immigration crime, they reportedly haven’t been utilised to their maximum potential.
In response, the Government is advocating for “interim” SCPOs that can impose “immediate” restraints on the activity of suspects while the courts review full orders. Under the fresh measures, police, the National Crime Agency and other authorities would have the direct power to request these orders from the High Court without first consulting the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
If an individual were to violate such an interim order, they could face up to a five-year prison sentence. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said: “Dangerous criminal people-smugglers are profiting from undermining our border security and putting lives at risk.” She added emphatically, “They cannot be allowed to get away with it.” For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
“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 upcoming Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is set to be introduced to Parliament shortly, will encompass this change.
Yvette Cooper has promised to give law enforcement stronger powers to crack down on people-smugglers
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
This announcement comes as recent statistics revealed a 25% increase in migrants reaching the UK shores by crossing the English Channel in small boats in 2024 compared to the previous year. Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government, which took office in July, has been accused by critics of “losing control of our borders” following Home Office data indicating that 36,816 individuals made the perilous journey last year.
Typically, there are higher numbers of small boat arrivals in the latter half of the year, with summer and autumn weather conditions being more conducive for crossings.
Days when the wind and wave levels in the Channel are most suitable for such journeys are often termed “red days”. According to Home Office insiders, there were 88 such days in the latter half of 2024 compared to 50 in the same period of 2023. This was highlighted as the main factor for the difference in arrival numbers between these periods.