The Government of the United Kingdom has activated a new counter-terrorism and border security policy that empowers law enforcement officers to seize mobile phones from undocumented migrants without placing them under arrest, as part of intensified efforts to disrupt people smuggling networks operating across Europe into Britain.
Okay News reports that the policy, announced by the United Kingdom Home Office, is designed to strengthen intelligence gathering against organised criminal gangs responsible for facilitating dangerous small boat crossings across the English Channel, a narrow stretch of sea separating the United Kingdom from mainland Europe.
Under the new legal framework, border and immigration officers are authorised to require migrants to remove outer clothing during checks, search for concealed mobile phones, and inspect mouths for hidden Subscriber Identity Module cards, which officials believe are frequently used to evade detection and trace criminal communication networks.
The United Kingdom Home Office stated that access to digital devices would enable investigators to map smuggling routes, identify organisers, and dismantle supply chains that support illegal migration. The National Crime Agency, the United Kingdom’s lead body for tackling serious and organised crime, said intelligence extracted from seized phones could significantly accelerate investigations into transnational smuggling syndicates.
The United Kingdom Border Security Minister, Alex Norris, said the government was fulfilling its commitment to restore control over national borders. “We promised to restore order and control to our borders, which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade,” Norris said. “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 United Kingdom Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, clarified that confiscated devices may be returned depending on the findings made during investigations. “Seized phones could later be returned, but that would depend on the individual circumstances… what is found on that phone. That is for the officers on the ground to make that operational decision,” Tapp said. He added, “If people have devices… that could hold intelligence, then we are right to be able to seize that. But that does not take away compassion.”
The legislation also introduces tougher criminal offences, including penalties of up to 14 years in prison for individuals found storing or supplying boat engines intended for use in illegal crossings to the United Kingdom.
Martin Hewitt, a former United Kingdom police chief appointed to lead efforts to curb English Channel crossings, disclosed that more than 4,000 disruptions against smuggling gangs have been recorded since the specialised unit was established. These actions include seizing large sums of cash and securing convictions against key figures within the networks.
Hewitt described the implementation of the new law as a significant turning point, saying Tuesday, January 6, 2026, marked a decisive moment to deploy additional tools aimed at weakening criminal organisations exploiting vulnerable migrants.
