The UK government has initiated a policy allowing law enforcement to seize mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants without the need for arrests. This measure, implemented on January 5, aims to combat illegal Channel crossings and disrupt people smuggling networks, which have surged in recent years. In 2025, the country recorded a total of **41,472 migrants** arriving after crossing the English Channel, making it the second-highest annual number on record.
Migrants typically arrive at the **Manston processing centre** in Kent after being rescued at sea and brought to the port of Dover. At this facility, officers will utilize technology to download data from the seized devices, gathering crucial intelligence on smuggling operations. This move follows the enactment of the **Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act** in December 2025, which introduced new powers aimed at expediting investigations into human trafficking.
Alex Norris, the Border Security Minister, stated, “We promised to restore order and control to our borders, which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing robust laws designed to intercept and dismantle these criminal organizations swiftly.
The recent surge in migrant crossings has raised concerns within the government. The figure for 2025 is **13% higher** than the previous year’s total of **36,816** and **41% higher** than the **29,437** migrants recorded in 2023. Although it falls **9% below** the all-time high of **45,774** in 2022, the trend poses significant challenges for border management.
Opposition voices have emerged in response to these new measures. Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, criticized the government’s approach, claiming it amounts to mere “cosmetic tweaks” without offering a substantial deterrent for those crossing the Channel. He advocated for withdrawing from the **European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)** to take more decisive action, a suggestion that Labour has rejected in favor of reforming the treaty.
Philp remarked, “Seizing phones may help at the margins, but it will not fix the small boats crisis, which is raging out of control.”
In addition to phone seizures, the new legislation introduces severe penalties for those involved in smuggling operations. Individuals found guilty of storing or supplying boat engines for migrant crossings could face up to **14 years in prison**. Furthermore, smugglers who download navigation maps or research equipment for dinghies may be subject to sentences of up to **five years**.
Martin Hewitt, the UK’s Border Security Commander, highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling since his unit’s establishment. He noted that over **4,000 disruptions** against smuggling gangs have occurred, including cash seizures and the conviction of key figures. Hewitt described the implementation of these new measures as a “key moment” in enhancing the government’s ability to tackle human trafficking.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also announced plans for extensive reforms, which she referred to as “the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times.” These reforms aim to deter illegal crossings and streamline the deportation process.
With these latest actions, the UK government seeks to address the challenges posed by increasing migrant crossings while grappling with the complexities of international human rights obligations and domestic security concerns.
