Suspected people smugglers to face travel and phone bans under new laws

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People-smuggling suspects could face travel bans and social media blackouts under new laws aimed at cracking down on organised immigration crime. Police, the National Crime Agency and other law enforcement bodies would be able to apply directly to the High Court for these orders without going through the Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office said. “Border security is one of the foundations of this Government’s Plan for Change, including making people better off, delivering safer streets and strengthening our NHS, and we will do everything in our power to deliver for working people.” The change will be included in the Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks. Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour administration, which entered office in July, faced opposition accusations of having “lost control of our borders” as Home Office data suggested 36,816 people made the journey last year.