Police officers will be able to order illegal migrants arriving at British ports to remove coats and open their mouths for inspection under new powers aimed at disrupting Channel-crossing smuggling networks, the Home Office said on Monday.
The measures will allow officers to look for mobile phones, SIM cards, and other small electronic devices used by criminal gangs that coordinate crossings from France, which have surged to record levels this year. Until now, phone searches could only take place after an arrest.
The Labour government, under pressure from rising support for Reform UK, has toughened its approach to irregular migration and says the expanded powers will speed up intelligence gathering and help dismantle smuggling operations.
The legislation, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is expected to receive Royal Assent in the coming days. Immigration has overtaken the economy as British voters’ top concern, recent polls show.
