Illegal migrants who arrive in the UK from today will have their phones seized without police having to arrest them first.

The new powers come as part of government efforts to tackle small-boat Channel crossings and people-smuggling gangs.

Officers at the processing centre in Manston, Kent, where migrants undergo security and identity checks, will now use technology that can access data on the devices in a bid to gather intelligence on the smuggling networks.

It is hoped that this will aid investigations, and comes after the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law last month.

Border security 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 to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains.

‘These measures sit alongside sweeping reforms to the system, to make it less attractive for migrants to come here illegally and remove and deport people faster.’

The new law is also introducing a number of criminal offences, including sentences of up to 14 years in jail for storing or supplying boat engines to bring migrants to the UK.

Migrants wade into the sea to try to board smugglers' boats in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France (Stock photo)
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Migrants wade into the sea to try to board smugglers’ boats in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France (Stock photo)

Officers at the processing centre in Manston, Kent, will now use technology that can access data on devices in a bid to gather intelligence on the smuggling networks (Stock photo)
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Officers at the processing centre in Manston, Kent, will now use technology that can access data on devices in a bid to gather intelligence on the smuggling networks (Stock photo)

Smugglers downloading maps on where to depart on small boats or researching the best places to buy equipment for dinghies could face five years in prison.

Some 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel last year – the second-highest figure on record. This was 13 per cent higher than the figure for 2024, when 36,816 migrants made the journey. The all-time high is 45,774 in 2022.

But last night shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Labour has merely made ‘cosmetic tweaks’ and that there is no proper deterrent to illegal migrants.

Instead, he pressed for quitting the European Convention on Human Rights to give the Government more flexibility on taking effective action – which Labour has rejected in favour of reforming the treaty.

Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt said more than 4,000 disruptions against smuggling gangs have taken place since his unit was created in July 2024 – such as by seizing cash and convicting key players.

He added that today marks a ‘key moment’ to go further with the extra tools.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans for reforms which she described as ‘the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times’.