In response to the escalating crisis, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has intercepted and seized over 50 improvised boats and engines since early 2023, alongside previously seizing around 450 engines stored in Germany.

The NCA is also working with the Home Office to potentially introduce a new criminal offense related to preparing acts of smuggling, aiming to enhance enforcement against people smugglers.

To further disrupt the smuggling business model, the NCA is exploring regulatory measures that would allow the seizure of boats exclusively used for illegal crossings.

This change in boat type has led to a tragic increase in fatalities, with more than 70 deaths reported over the past year during Channel crossings.

Rob Jones, director general for operations at the NCA, has warned of a substantial push from organized crime groups to facilitate these dangerous crossings.

Since the Labour government took power, the UK has seen a significant increase in migrant arrivals via small boats, with over 20,000 migrants arriving this year alone, up from 17,000 the previous year.

Experts anticipate a surge in migrant crossings once winter ends, predicting that organized crime will continue to profit from transporting migrants in unsafe rubber boats.

Smuggling gangs have shifted to using flimsy rubber dinghies, with larger boats capable of carrying up to 60 people, replacing sturdier vessels that previously held around 12.

Looking ahead, organized foreign smuggling gangs are expected to significantly ramp up their operations to traffic migrants across the English Channel in Spring 2025.

The price for crossing the Channel has skyrocketed, now costing approximately £1,200, which is a fourfold increase driven by rising demand and operational costs for smugglers.

The NCA has taken proactive measures by successfully removing 7,000 social media posts from smuggling gangs this year, up from 5,000 last year, to disrupt their recruitment efforts.

To combat the smuggling operations, British police are collaborating with Chinese authorities to address the manufacture and export of small boat engines commonly used by smuggling gangs.