UK to Seize Phones of Illegal Migrants Under New Counter-Terror Measures

The UK government has begun implementing a new counter-terrorism policy that allows authorities to seize mobile phones from illegal migrants without making an arrest.

According to the government, the law is aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering on people-smuggling gangs responsible for organising small boat crossings into the UK.

The Home Office said border officers are now empowered to require migrants to remove their coats during searches to check for mobile phones and to inspect their mouths for concealed SIM cards.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said data obtained from seized devices could help accelerate investigations into smuggling networks.

Border Security Minister Alex Norris said the move aligns with the government’s commitment to tighten border control.

“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 with powerful offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains,” Norris said.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said seized phones could be returned at a later stage, depending on individual cases and findings.

“That would depend on the individual circumstances… what’s found on that phone. That’s for the guys on the ground to make that operational decision,” he said.

“If people have devices… that could hold intelligence, then we are right to be able to seize that. But that doesn’t take away compassion,” Tapp added.

The new legislation also creates offences punishable by up to 14 years in prison for storing or supplying boat engines used to transport migrants to the UK.

Martin Hewitt, who leads efforts to curb Channel crossings, said his unit has recorded more than 4,000 disruptions against smuggling gangs since its establishment, including cash seizures and convictions of key figures.

He said the latest measures mark a significant step in expanding enforcement tools to further crack down on people smugglers.

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