Migrants who resist rescue attempts in the Channel until reaching British waters will face up to five years in jail under new legislation tabled today by Labour.
In a “counter-terror-inspired” crackdown, the Border Security Bill will also impose 14-year prison sentences on those who supply or handle small boat equipment for people smuggling operations.
The new offence targets migrants who use physical aggression, intimidation or coercive behaviour to overload boats during Channel crossings.
It follows a record 78 migrant deaths in the Channel last year, with official sources reporting cases of people being crushed to death on overcrowded dinghies carrying up to 120 passengers.
Labour’s Border Security Bill will also impose 14-year prison sentences on those who supply or handle small boat equipment
PA
Cases included desperate migrants holding babies over the sides of small boats in an attempt to ward off rescuers.
The Bill creates a new offence of collecting information for criminal gangs, including researching routes and arranging departure points, with a maximum five-year sentence.
The legislation mirrors powers in the Terrorism Act 2006 – making possession of boats, engines and life jackets a criminal offence when intended for Channel crossings.
Immigration officers and police will also gain new powers to seize phones and electronic devices from Channel migrants before arrest if suspected of containing smuggling gang information – whereas currently, devices can only be taken after arrest.
MORE ON THE MIGRANT CRISIS:
Migrants who resist rescue attempts in the Channel until reaching British waters will face up to five years in jail
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Officials say this will help gather evidence from traumatised migrants at “floating crime scenes”.
Border Force officers will be also able to arrest anyone possessing information linked to organised immigration crime if the Bill makes it through Parliament.
And new Border Security Command chief Martin Hewitt’s role will also be escalated to a “legal footing” to coordinate law enforcement agencies and set priorities.
Border Security Command chief Martin Hewitt’s role will also be escalated to a ‘legal footing’
PA
The legislation will retain controversial Conservative measures, including powers to detain child migrants for up to 28 days and tougher evidence rules for modern slavery claims.
That prompted fury from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who said: “As the National Crime Agency said, an effective removals deterrent is needed to stop the boats, but there is nothing about a returns deterrent for all illegal migrants in Labour’s Bill.
“The Government clearly has no plans to limit the abuse of human rights law or to use the visa sanctions which the previous Conservative Government legislated for – and Labour voted against – to force other countries take back their own nationals with no right to be in the UK.”
