In a significant escalation of its efforts to dismantle people smuggling networks, the UK government has enacted new legal powers allowing border officials to seize mobile phones from migrants who arrive via small boats.
New Powers to Target Trafficking Gangs
The measures, which came into effect on Monday, 5 January 2026, grant officers at the Manston immigration facility in Kent the authority to confiscate devices and SIM cards. Specialist technology will then be used to download information from the phones, a move hailed as a critical breakthrough in identifying and prosecuting trafficking gangs.
Martin Hewitt, the UK's Border Security Commander, strongly welcomed the new powers. He stated: "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. 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."
Closing Legal Loopholes and Increasing Penalties
This change follows a period where the Home Office was forced to admit it had acted unlawfully by seizing phones after a High Court challenge under the previous government. The new legislation provides a clear legal foundation for such actions.
In addition to phone seizures, the new laws introduce severe penalties for those supporting illegal migration. Anyone found moving or storing equipment like boat engines for people trafficking now faces up to 14 years in prison. Furthermore, criminals caught 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."
The Ongoing Challenge of Channel Crossings
The government's action comes as Channel crossings continue to present a major challenge. Latest data shows that 41,472 people made the perilous journey in 2025, a 13% increase from the 36,816 recorded the previous year. This figure, however, remains below the 2022 record of 45,774. The rise has been stark since 2018, when only 299 such arrivals were recorded.
Tragically, it is estimated that 36 people lost their lives attempting to reach the UK by small boat in 2025. The government contends that its tougher stance, including these new operational measures and wider systemic reforms, is essential to deter illegal journeys, remove people faster, and ultimately prevent further loss of life in the English Channel.
