UK to Enforce Tougher Restrictions on Suspected People Smugglers

New laws will allow immediate travel, phone, and social media bans on suspects as part of efforts to combat illegal immigration and smuggling networks.

The UK government plans to introduce 'interim' Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) to impose immediate restrictions on suspected people smugglers before formal charges are brought.
Suspects could face bans on travel, mobile phone and internet use, social media access, and financial transactions, with breaches punishable by up to five years in prison.
The measures are part of the upcoming Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, aimed at tackling organised smuggling networks and reducing dangerous Channel crossings.
2024 saw a 25% increase in small boat crossings compared to 2023, with over 36,800 arrivals and a record 77 migrant deaths reported during the year.
Critics, including civil liberty advocates, warn the new laws risk overreach by imposing severe restrictions based on suspicion rather than evidence, while others call for safe and legal migration routes to address root causes.