Major change means small boat gangs face 5 years in prison for online ads

Criminal gangs who advertise small boat crossings on line could be jailed for five years and face hefty fines under a new change to the law.

A new offence will be introduced to crack down on social media content which promotes dangerous journeys like Channel crossings.

It comes as nine protesters were detained after confrontations with police at a migrant hotel in London. And far right groups called for 'national action' on asylum hotels

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Around 80% of migrants arriving by small boats tell officials they used social media to find or communicate with someone associated with a criminal gang.

The Home Office say many of hose who chose to make the dangerous crossings are sold a “false narrative” about their ability to live and work in the UK.

So the new rules will also crack down on content which promises illegal work.

“Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK and a life in this country – whether on or offline – simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said.

“These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media. We are determined to do everything we can to stop them – wherever they operate.”

Last November, a gang operating in South Wales who had smuggled thousands of migrants across Europe were caught using social media posts to promote the services they were offering.

Another network operated by Preston-based smuggler Amanj Hasan Zada, later jailed for 17 years, also posted videos of migrants thanking him for helping them.

Since December 2021, the National Crime Agency has worked with social networks to remove around 22,000 posts promoting organised immigration crime, with more than 8,000 removed in 2024 – a 40% increase on the previous year.

The new offence will be introduced through a change to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently going through Parliament.

"We have to stay one step ahead of the ever-evolving tactics of people-smuggling gangs and this move, part of our Plan for Change to boost border security, will empower law enforcement to disable these tactics faster and more effectively, ensuring people face proper penalties.”

The Metropolitan Police said yesterday’s protest against the use of the Islington hotel was organised by local residents under the banner "Thistle Barbican needs to go - locals say no".

But they acknowledged the protest had been "endorsed by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending".

Online groups that have voiced support for the protest include the far-right groups “Patriots of Britain" and "Together for the Children".

A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party also took place.

Student Pat Prendergast, 21, said: "I want people to feel safe. I think the (rival protesters) over there are making people feel unsafe.

"I want to stand up in solidarity and say that, you know, we want people here.

"We want migrants. We want asylum seekers."

A noticeably smaller group of protesters waved union flags and held banners outside the hotel.

"Get these scum off our streets", one man chanted in the direction of the hotel.

A large group of masked protesters dressed in black chanting "we are anti-fascist" appeared from a side street and marched towards the rival group outside the hotel.

There were brief clashes before police rushed in to separate the two groups.

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About 100 people attended a protest outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne, Surrey, on Friday evening, during which a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police, Surrey Police said.

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and inquiries are ongoing to trace another suspect, the force said.

Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and aggravated trespass following a protest at the same location on Thursday evening.