The government has announced new measures targeting migrants arriving on small boats, with those caught supplying items such as engines or putting others at risk during Channel crossings now facing prosecution.
However, questions remain about the effectiveness of these laws in deterring the determined individuals making the irresponsible journey.
Starting today, authorities will begin seizing phones at the Manston processing centre in an effort to track down those organising the dangerous voyages.
While the facility boasts technology to extract key evidence from devices, there are fears that dinghy migrants may simply dispose of their phones in the sea before reaching British shores, rendering the measure futile.
Record numbers continue despite unfavourable conditions
An astonishing 41,000 people arrived via the Channel last year, and while bad weather has temporarily halted crossings in 2026, it remains to be seen whether the new laws will have a significant impact on the staggering numbers.
Under the fresh regulations, officers can demand illegal migrants remove outer garments and search inside their mouths for concealed SIM cards.
Lengthy jail terms promised, but will they act as a deterrent?
Offenders caught moving, storing, or supplying items like boat engines could face up to 14 years in prison, while those found downloading, researching, or recording information to facilitate illegal migration could be jailed for up to five years. This includes actions such as downloading maps to evade detection or researching where to buy equipment for constructing small boats.
Despite the penalties, it remains uncertain whether the threat of imprisonment will be sufficient.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, 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.”
While the government claims these measures are part of sweeping reforms to discourage illegal migration and expedite removals and deportations, critics argue that without addressing the root causes driving people to make these dangerous journeys, the situation is unlikely to improve.
Thousands of disruptions claimed, but problem persists
Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt CBE QPM stressed that criminal smuggling gangs facilitating illegal migration have no regard for human life, noting that nearly 4,000 disruptions against these networks have taken place since the launch of the Border Security Command.
Despite these efforts, the flow of migrants risking their lives to cross the Channel shows no signs of abating, raising doubts about the long-term efficacy of the government’s approach.
Sarah Dineley from the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the misery caused by organised immigration crime and the serious risk to life it poses for those desperate enough to make these crossings.
She stated: “Thanks to these new offences we now have at our disposal, we can work with our law enforcement colleagues to bring offenders to justice. Prosecutions disrupt the running of these criminal business models and sends out a clear message to those involved that they risk imprisonment.”
“Once our prosecutors have sufficient evidence from law enforcement agencies and it’s in the public interest we won’t hesitate to charge suspects and take them to court.”
While prosecutors express determination to bring those involved in facilitating illegal crossings to justice, it remains to be seen whether this approach will be sufficient to stem the tide.