0h 20min, jan 4, 2026 y - New Powers to Seize Migrants' Phones

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New powers allowing mobile phones to be seized from illegal migrants without arresting them have come into force.

The government said it will help gather intelligence on smuggling gangs organising small boat crossings to the UK.

The Home Office said seizures will begin on Monday at the Manston migrant processing centre in Kent, with technology on site ready to download intelligence from devices.

Officers will be able to demand that migrants remove their coats to search for phones and also check their mouths for SIM cards.

The National Crime Agency said the information collected could speed up investigations into smuggling gangs.

Border security minister Alex Norris said: "We promised to restore order and control to our borders, which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade.

"That is exactly why we are implementing robust new laws with powerful offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains."

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