The government notes a record enforcement year, having shut down over 10,000 social media accounts, pages, and posts linked to people smugglers.

The measure is aimed at curbing small-boat crossings and fits into the wider immigration and border-security agenda amid political pressure and rising Reform UK support.

Examples cited include Pashto-language posts offering a one-hour jet-boat option from France to London for $4,000 and other ads promoting routes via several countries and contact numbers.

The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt people-smuggling networks and deter illegal migration routes through policy and enforcement.

The new offence, enforceable from Monday, lets the National Crime Agency identify and pursue social media accounts that post adverts facilitating illegal crossings, not just content that directly leads to a migration offence.

The crackdown is part of Labour's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act and relies on the National Crime Agency Online Communications Centre to analyse thousands of social media accounts.

As part of a broader border strategy, the government is expanding international intelligence sharing, including agreements with European partners and a one-for-one exchange with France swapping irregular arrivals for asylum seekers.

Key figures cited include border security minister Alex Norris, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and discussions of potential reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights and asylum appeal processes.

The announcement follows criticism of the government’s migration handling and ongoing debate over the effectiveness of the one-for-one scheme, which has seen more arrivals than deportations.

Smugglers’ posts and videos are circulating in multiple languages, including Pashto, inviting contact through comments or direct messages.

So far this year, 933 people have arrived by small boats, with no arrivals since January 20, and the policy is linked to broader efforts, including a recent deal with Chinese authorities to curb boat-motor exports.

About 60% of last year’s Channel crossings involved motors made in China, highlighting supply chains targeted by enforcement.