In a major upgrade to Serious Crime Prevention Orders, new
Interim Orders will allow immediate action to disrupt and deter
suspected serious criminality.
These orders are part of a stronger approach to organised crime
which will form part of the Border Security, Asylum and
Immigration Bill. This new approach will level up our response to
serious crime including organised immigration crime, with new
powers mirroring those which are already used to disrupt other
harmful criminality such as knife crime, slavery and trafficking.
The Bill will improve border security, a key foundation for
delivering on the Government's Plan for Change.
Currently, securing a Serious Crime Prevention Order imposed on
suspects, including people smugglers, can be a complex and
lengthy process, restricting the use of this powerful tool.
Interim Orders will go further, speeding up the process for
placing restrictions on people under investigation to prevent,
deter and disrupt serious and organised crime, including people
smuggling. These new Interim Orders will allow the National Crime
Agency (NCA), the police and other law enforcement agencies to
apply directly to the High Court to impose immediate restrictions
while a full Order is considered.
By taking immediate action at an early stage, without requiring a
conviction, these Interim Orders will help crack down on people
smugglers and other forms of serious and organised crime. This
will strengthen the tools of law enforcement to disrupt these
individuals who are operating in the UK, in some cases allowing
investigations and prosecutions to continue whilst preventing
further serious criminality from taking place.
The new orders will form an important part of preventing
organised immigration crime while complementing the UK's
relentless pursuit of criminal gangs.
Restrictions will vary on a case-by-case basis but could include:
- Travel restrictions
- A ban on laptop or mobile phone usage
- A ban on accessing social media networks, including via a
third party
- Restrictions on whom someone can associate with
- Restrictions on devices and communications with certain
individuals
- Restrictions on their finances, helping to prevent criminal
proceeds from going under the radar.
Breaching an Interim Order could lead to up to five years in
prison.
Home Secretary said:
“Dangerous criminal people-smugglers are profiting from
undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. They
cannot be allowed to get away with it.
“Stronger international collaboration has already led to
important arrests and action against dangerous gangs over the
last few months. We will give law enforcement stronger powers
they need to pursue and stop more of these vile gang networks.
“Border security is one of the foundations of this government's
Plan for Change, including making people better off, delivering
safer streets and strengthening our NHS, and we will do
everything in our power to deliver for working people.”
The announcement comes in the same week as the disruption of a
major Afghan people-smuggling ring by a joint operation between
the NCA and Belgian authorities, with support from Immigration
Enforcement and Border Force officers. Three individuals were
arrested in the UK after fleeing Belgium in a small boat to avoid
prosecution.
This is the latest development in the government's crackdown on
people-smuggling gangs and the new Border Security Command which
is bringing together operational leads to disrupt more gangs
across the continent, break their business model and bring them
to justice.
The trio were found guilty of being part of an organised crime
group responsible for transporting thousands of migrants into
Europe, including some to the UK on small boats. The group also
committed serious sexual offences against male migrant minors.
They now face extradition back to Belgium to face justice, where
last month a court in Antwerp convicted and sentenced the trio
and 20 other members of the gang to a total of 170 years
imprisonment, with sentences ranging from two to 18 years.
The landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will
strengthen the operational activity of the new Border Security
Command, backed up with £150 million, and bringing together key
operational experts including Immigration Enforcement, Border
Force and vital partners like the NCA. Further measures in the
legislation will be brought forward to tackle all aspects of
organised immigration crime.
In just under six months, there has been major progress in
increasing enforcement and restoring order to the chaotic asylum
system, stopping the Rwanda plan and restarting asylum processing
to start bringing the backlog down. This work has already seen
almost 13,500 people with no right to be here returned since the
election.
The government's wide-ranging approach to tackling illegal
migration also includes strengthened global partnerships. The UK
has signed new agreements with Germany and Iraq to tackle
people-smuggling gangs and has enhanced co-operation with the
Calais Group.
