New powers have been introduced for Police Service of Northern Ireland to tackle people smuggling gangs in Government amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
As illegal immigration has reached a high point the government has stepped up and introduced measures to try and curb the growing numbers crossing into the UK and Northern Ireland.
This will have implications for local ports and counties sharing borders with the ROI.
Minister of State at the Home Office, Lord David Hanson said: “Our Borders Bill will turbocharge efforts to combat irregular migration and organised immigration crime, equipping law enforcement across the UK with new tools to better identify, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks behind this vile trade.xa0
“As well as new counter-terrorism-style powers, the Police Service of Northern Ireland will receive targeted powers to seize electronic devices like mobile phones suspected of containing information about organised immigration crime.
“This change will deliver greater intelligence on these people smuggling gangs, enhancing investigations and strengthening the collective response to bring criminals to justice.”
This measure is partxa0of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which progresses to the House of Lords for Committee Stage next week.
It means that immigration officers, National Crime Agency and police forces across the UK (including the Police Service of Northern Ireland) can seize electronic devices suspected of containing information about organised immigration crime.
The move follows axa0recent report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Servicesxa0xa0(HMICFRS) in which they welcomed new device seizure powers and noted they could uncover valuable information on organised immigration crime groups.xa0
For police, these powers would only apply to officers who encounter illegal entrants to the UK inland, for example if they were the first responders to a lorry containing migrants.xa0
Any seizure, retention and downloading of data from a device will be determined on case-by-case basis and subject to senior oversight and robust safeguards.xa0
The Bill takes learnings from counter-terrorism laws, to make faster and earlier disruptions and intervene when smuggling gangs are preparing their operations. This includes making it a criminal offence to supply or handle itemsxa0one suspects of beingxa0for use in organised immigration crime, for example the selling or supply of small boats parts.
The legislation is part of the Government’s Plan for Change, securing our borders and restoring order to the asylum and immigration system.
Law enforcement and our officers are working round the clock to smash the gangs.
Just last month,xa0a major Home Office operationxa0to clamp down on people smuggling gangs and the abuse of the Common Travel Area resulted in over 30 arrests and £160,000 of assets being seized in Northern Ireland.
At the same time, the Border Security Command is strengthening international partnerships to tackle irregular migration, protect lives and secure the UK borders.
On 11 June 2025, the Chancellor announced up to £280 million per year for the Border Security Command by the end of the spending review period in 2028-2029.
