The UK government revealed new measures on Thursday to combat migrant smuggling, including travel bans and restrictions on access to social media platforms for those suspected of involvement.

These actions come amid a significant increase in illegal crossings of the English Channel, with 36,816 migrants making the crossing in 2024, a 25% rise compared to the previous year.

The government has pledged to intensify efforts to tackle human trafficking networks, with new legislation expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Refugee Council criticized the policy, warning that it could increase the risks associated with crossing the channel.