People smugglers promoting illegal crossings into the UK on social media may face up to five years in prison under new legislation introduced through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which was passed last year. The new rules mean immigration authorities will no longer have to prove online ads had led to crossings, as under the previous regulations. The National Crime Agency will monitor social media for such posts, having already shut down over 10,000 accounts last year. The crackdown aims to disrupt the operations of middlemen facilitating dangerous crossings. Border Security Minister Alex Norris said: “To the people smugglers peddling this content, whether you are selling your vile trade online through ‘golden package deals’, supplying boat equipment or researching routes, we are coming after you.”
