Officers will now be allowed to require the removal of outer clothing and to check inside a person’s mouth.
Migrants are continuing to try to cross the English Channel (Image: Getty)
Border Force officers will soon be able to order anyone caught entering the UK illegally to take off their coat, jacket or gloves — and open their mouth — so hidden SIM cards or electronic devices can be found, under tough new powers due to become law this week. The measures, part of Labour’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill which is expected to receive royal assent within days, mark a significant escalation in frontline searches of suspected illegal migrants.
Officers will be allowed to require the removal of outer clothing and to check inside a person’s mouth, but will not be permitted to go further than that unless an arrest is made. Anyone who refuses can face “reasonable force” and, if they deliberately obstruct, up to 51 weeks in prison.
Minister for Local Growth Alex Norris (Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
The same officers will also gain the power to seize and search mobile phones, tablets and laptops on the spot — without waiting for an arrest — whenever they have “reasonable grounds” to believe the device holds evidence against people-smuggling gangs.
New funding has been provided for cutting-edge AI tools that can rapidly scan thousands of messages, contacts and images, allowing investigators to identify organisers within hours rather than months.
National Crime Agency and police teams will receive additional interim Serious Crime Prevention Orders, enabling courts to instantly ban smuggling suspects from using phones or social media even before charges are brought.
Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said: “Organised criminal networks rely on phone contacts and social media to recruit migrants for Channel crossings.
“These new powers will allow law enforcement to seize illegal migrants’ phones before an arrest so we can gather intelligence and shut down these vile smuggling gangs before they attempt to risk more lives in these dangerous journeys.”
The Government claims to have seen early success from the Border Security Command as since it was set up in July 2024, there have been almost 4,000 disruptions of organised immigration crime, while nearly 900 smuggling networks were permanently dismantled in the first quarter of this financial year — helping drive a 33 % increase in arrests, convictions and cash seizures.
More than 39,000 people have arrived by small boat so far in 2025 — 17 % up on last year, though still short of the 2022 record.
The new search and seizure powers will come into force immediately across the UK the moment the Bill becomes law, applying to every person encountered after an illegal entry, whether by boat, lorry or any other route.
