More Illegal Boat Migrants Coming to the UK This Spring – The Reason Will Shock You

Human trafficking across the English Channel is expected to rise this spring. Smuggling gangs are preparing to move thousands of desperate migrants across the water in unsafe, overcrowded boats. Since Labour came to power, over 20,000 migrants have crossed the Channel on small boats—an increase from 17,000 during the same period last year.

Experts say these numbers could grow as criminal gangs make huge profits by packing people into flimsy rubber dinghies with cheap engines. Rob Jones from the National Crime Agency (NCA) warns of a big surge in crossings once winter ends.

To tackle the issue, British authorities are talking to China about stopping the production and export of the boat engines used by smugglers. Since early 2023, the UK has seized over 50 boats and hundreds of engines, many of which were stored in Germany before being used in crossings.

Smugglers have shifted to larger but weaker boats, which can carry up to 60 people, instead of sturdier vessels that could hold 12. This change has allowed them to move more people but has also led to more deaths—over 70 migrants have died in the past year attempting the crossing.

The NCA is also working with European partners to create rules that would allow authorities to seize boats and engines used for trafficking. If successful, this could make smuggling more expensive and less profitable for gangs, as they would need to use smaller, safer boats that carry fewer passengers.

Additionally, the NCA has removed thousands of online posts from smugglers advertising their services to migrants—7,000 this year compared to 5,000 in 2023.

Authorities are also considering new laws to make it easier to prosecute smugglers by targeting their supply chains. The ultimate goal is to make smuggling harder and less profitable, saving lives and reducing dangerous crossings.