From Monday border officials will be able to seize phones and SIM cards from people who reach the UK by small boat in a bid to identify trafficking gangs
Border officers will start seizing phones and SIM cards from small boat arrivals.
New legal powers to seize and download information from devices – which come into effect on Monday – have been hailed as a breakthrough in the battle against smuggling gangs. Government insiders have been puzzled why officials do not have greater powers to confiscate phones, given the raft of immigration laws passed under the Tories.
Under the previous Government, the Home Office was forced to admit acting unlawfully by seizing phones from small boat arrivals after a High Court challenge.
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Britain’s Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, said: “Criminal smuggling gangs facilitating illegal migration do not care if people live or die.
“Since the Border Security Command launched, nearly 4,000 disruptions against these networks have taken place, from seizing cash to convictions of major kingpins. Today marks a key moment in allowing us to go even further, with new tools and legal backing to bear down on these vile gangs, secure our borders and save lives.”
It is estimated that 36 people died attempting to reach the UK last year.
Phone seizures will start at the Manston immigration facility in Kent – with specialist tech to be used to download information from devices. Officers will also have greater search powers to look for hidden SIM cards.
On top of this, from today(MON), anyone found moving or storing equipment like boat engines to be used for people trafficking faces up to 14 years in prison. And criminals found researching or plotting illegal migration operations can be jailed for up to five years.
Borders Minister Alex Norris said: “We promised to restore order and control to our borders which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade.
“That is exactly why we are implementing robust new laws with powerful offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains.
“These operational measures sit alongside sweeping reforms to the system, to make it less attractive for migrants to come here illegally and remove and deport people faster.”
Channel crossings continue to be a major headache for the Government, and a 13% year-on-year increase is not helpful.
Data showed 41,472 people made the perilous journey – up 13% from 36,816 the previous year, but below the 2022 record of 45,774. Small boat crossings have risen considerably since 299 arrivals were recorded in 2018.
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