Suspected people smugglers to face severe curbs under new UK laws

By Muvija M

LONDON (Reuters) -Suspected people smugglers will face severe curbs under new laws in Britain, the government said on Thursday, as it steps up efforts to fight illegal migration and strengthen border security.

Those suspected will be hit with travel bans, social media blackouts and restrictions on phone usage to help "dismantle organised immigration crime networks", the government said.

"We will give law enforcement stronger powers they need to pursue and stop more of these vile gang networks," interior minister Yvette Cooper said, describing border security as one of the foundations of the government's recently laid out "plan for change".

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected in July, has prioritised tackling illegal migration by cracking down on the gangs who smuggle people across the English Channel, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, into Britain from France.

Over 36,800 people made the dangerous crossing in 2024, a 25% year-on-year surge, according to government data. Several dozen have died attempting to do so, with the Refugee Council charity terming it the deadliest year on record for crossings.

At least 69 deaths were reported over the course of the year - more than the total between 2019 and 2023, the charity said, adding that enforcement measures had made the crossings even more dangerous.

"The government needs to take a different approach if it is to ensure everything possible is done so that 2025 does not see a repeat of last year's devastating loss," Refugee Council head Enver Solomon said.

The planned interim serious crime prevention orders (SCPO) will allow immediate action to disrupt and deter suspected serious criminality, including organised immigration crime, the government said.

The fresh powers are designed to mirror those already used to disrupt other offences such as knife crime, slavery and trafficking.

Currently, securing an SCPO on suspects can be a complex and lengthy process. The interim orders will speed up the process.

(Reporting by Muvija M; editing by Alexandra Hudson and Mark Heinrich)