New restrictions aim to curb people smuggling in the UK, allowing courts to impose travel and phone limits on suspects.
London: The UK is stepping up its fight against people smuggling. New rules mean suspects will face strict travel and phone restrictions even before they’re charged. This is part of a bigger effort to tackle illegal migration.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is pushing for these changes. She wants to give law enforcement more power to disrupt criminal networks. The idea is to act quickly while evidence is still being gathered.
Last year saw a huge jump in Chanel crossings, with over 36,000 attempts. Since Labour took over, small boat arrivals have surged by 29%. The previous government’s Rwanda plan is being blamed for this spike.
These new Serious Crime Prevention Orders will help police impose limits on suspects. They can restrict travel, social media use, and even who suspects can meet. It’s a way to keep tabs on them before any formal charges are made.
Cooper emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation to tackle these gangs. She believes that with these new powers, law enforcement can make a real difference in stopping these dangerous networks.
