UK officers can now seize migrants’ phones at Manston

New Powers to Seize Phones from Migrants in UK

Officers will seize mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants without arresting them. This is part of Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to “smash the gangs” smuggling people across the Channel.

The power has come into effect after new figures showed that 41,472 people arrived in the UK on small boats last year. This number is the second-highest on record.

Labour Leader’s Actions

On Sunday, the Labour leader announced he is working to ease the crisis. He ordered the Home Office to close asylum hotels before the current 2029 deadline, but he did not provide a new date.

New figures show that 41,472 people arrived in the UK on small boats last year, which is the second-highest number on record.

Seizing Electronic Devices

Officers will start taking electronic devices from people at the Manston processing centre in Kent. They will download data to help gather intelligence on people smugglers.

The new powers for law enforcement aim to speed up investigations. This follows the Labour’s new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which became law in December.

Statements from Officials

Border security minister Alex Norris said, “We promised to restore order and control to our borders. This means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade.”

He added, “We are implementing robust new laws to intercept, disrupt, and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before.”

Recent Migration Figures

Last week, official 2025 figures showed a 13 percent increase compared to 2024, when 36,816 migrants made the journey. This is also 41 percent higher than 2023’s total of 29,437. The number is just 9 percent below the all-time high of 45,774 in 2022.

On Sunday, Sir Keir stated that Britons would see evidence of asylum hotel closures in the coming months.

Concerns Over Asylum Hotels

The use of asylum hotels was highlighted this summer with protests at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. An asylum seeker, who arrived by small boat, was charged, jailed, and deported for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl.

The prime minister expressed his determination to close the hotels but did not provide a specific date.

Government’s Commitment

He told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, “I want to see that brought forward as soon as possible, but no later than the end of parliament.”

Sir Keir said he did not want to set a date until he was sure it could be met.

Criticism from Shadow Home Secretary

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused ministers of making “cosmetic tweaks.” He stated there was no deterrent for those crossing the Channel and reiterated his party’s call for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.

New Criminal Offences Introduced

The government’s new law introduces new criminal offences. These include up to 14 years in jail for storing or supplying boat engines for smuggling migrants across the English Channel.

Smugglers downloading maps or researching equipment for small boats could face up to five years in prison.

Border Security Commander’s Remarks

The UK’s border security commander, Martin Hewitt, said the new powers to seize phones mark a “key moment.” His unit has disrupted smuggling gangs over 4,000 times, including cash seizures and criminal convictions.