The UK government is launching a major legal assault on people smugglers who brazenly advertise their illegal Channel crossing services on social media platforms like TikTok. Under new laws coming into force in the coming weeks, criminals who create promotional material for trafficking services will face up to five years in prison.
Record Crackdown on Online Smuggling Networks
Home Office minister Mike Tapp revealed the tough new measures, stating that the government is "taking the fight" directly to the trafficking gangs. The announcement follows a record-breaking year for the National Crime Agency (NCA), which in 2025 alone removed more than 10,700 posts and accounts linked to people smuggling operations.
Investigators report that social media platforms are flooded with adverts placed by organised crime groups. These adverts often promise high-speed "jet boat" crossings to the UK or even a "taxi service" on the back of lorries. The Home Office estimates that a staggering 80% of individuals who arrive in the UK via small boats used social media to facilitate their journey, placing immense pressure on tech giants to act more decisively.
New Law Targets Promotion of Illegal Immigration
The forthcoming UK-wide offence will criminalise the act of creating any material that promotes breaches of immigration law. This broad scope covers not only the encouragement of dangerous small boat crossings but also includes:
- Advertising fake document or identity services.
- Promising opportunities for illegal work in the UK.
- Promoting sham marriage services.
- Offering help with fraudulent asylum claims.
Mike Tapp, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, told The Mirror: “We’re taking the fight to the brazen people smugglers who think they can advertise their services on social media platforms undetected – they’re wildly mistaken.” He emphasised that the NCA's crackdown was a "direct blow to criminal networks."
Intelligence Goldmine and Ongoing Tech Pressure
Mike Hulett, head of the NCA’s Online Communication Centre, explained that targeting these online adverts is a crucial part of disrupting smugglers' business models. The removed content also provides vital intelligence leads, with several current investigations having originated from these online adverts.
While the NCA states it has "positive dialogue" with social media companies and works closely with them to remove illegal material, officials are clear that more must be done. There is a firm message to tech platforms that they must prevent their services from being used as a shop window for criminal activities that endanger lives and undermine UK border security.
The new law represents a significant escalation in the UK's efforts to combat people smuggling, moving beyond intercepting boats at sea to directly target the digital advertising that fuels the trade.
