A dinghy heading off from Sangatte (Image: Getty)

       Corrupt police officers and manufacturers selling dinghies to people-smuggling gangs are being targetted in the Government's latest desperate bid to stop small boat crossings. They will face sanctions including having their assets frozen and being banned from travel to the UK, in efforts to curb the flow of migrants across the Channel.

       Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a wave of sanctions that will be introduced to target anyone involved in assisting illegal immigration to the UK. But Conservatives warned criminal gangs "laugh at our laws" as they charge migrants thousands for a place on an overcrowded dinghy. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "We must deport illegal immigrants immediately on arrival, it is the only way to end the pull factor and deter crossings."

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       People that could be hit by sanctions under Labour's plan include those involved in supplying and financing small boats, fake passports, and “middlemen” putting cash through the Hawala system, a legal money transfer system, which is also used in payments linked to Channel crossings.

       The first wave of sanctions comes into force on Wednesday, and will publicly name anyone sanctioned, so it will be illegal for UK businesses and banks to deal with them.

       The measure is expected to include more than 20 designations, and could include corrupt public officials and police officers in steps to tackle the multi-billion-dollar industry.

       Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK. We will not accept this status quo.

       “That’s why the UK has created the world’s first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers.

       “From tomorrow, those involved will face having their assets frozen, being shut off from the UK financial system and banned from travelling to the UK.”

       But Chris Philp said: "The truth is you don’t stop the Channel crossings by freezing a few bank accounts in Baghdad or slapping a travel ban on a dinghy dealer in Damascus. Swathes of young men are arriving daily, in boats bought online, guided by traffickers who laugh at our laws and cash in on our weakness.

       "2025 has been the worst year on record for illegal boat crossings, with over 23,000 already this year and more than 46,000 since Labour came to power. The gangs aren’t scared – because Labour won’t detain, deport or even pretend to enforce the border.

       "The Conservatives will stop this crisis. Our Deportation Bill would disapply the Human Rights Act in immigration cases, deport every foreign criminal, close the legal loopholes, and if the ECHR stands in the way, we’ll leave it. Until then, Labour can freeze all the assets they like, the smugglers will still be sailing straight through the chaos they created."

       It follows legislation being introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to ramp up enforcement powers for police forces and partners to investigate and prosecute people smugglers.

       Fresh sanctions aim to target organised crime gangs wherever they are in the world and disrupt their flow of cash, including freezing bank accounts, property and other assets, to hinder their activities.

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       Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “It will allow us to target the assets and operations of people smugglers wherever they operate, cutting off their funding and dismantling their networks piece by piece.

       “Through the Border Security Command and key partners like the National Crime Agency, we are strengthening our ties with other nations to tackle this global problem.

       “Together, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for those who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk for profit.”

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