UK to seize phones in new crackdown on migration

Mobile phones and hidden SIM cards can be seized from migrants arriving illegally in the UK on small boats across the English Channel under new powers enforced from Monday. Law enforcement agencies can now seize electronic devices like mobile phones and SIM cards from illegal migrants without needing to arrest them. This is intended to help them gather intelligence to track down and arrest people smugglers. The UK Home Office said the “game changing” new criminal offences will help authorities intercept organised criminals faster and enable police to arrest people smugglers fuelling illegal migration. “We promised to restore order and control to our borders which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade,” said Alex Norris.