A government official has criticized criminals who are using social media to openly advertise small boat crossings to the UK, offering “jet boats” for the journey. Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, stated that the authorities are actively combating trafficking groups, with harsh penalties of up to five years in prison awaiting those who promote such crossings on platforms like TikTok. The National Crime Agency (NCA) removed over 10,000 posts and accounts last year in their efforts to tackle this issue.
According to the Home Office, approximately 80% of individuals arriving via small boats utilized social media to facilitate their travel, leading to increased calls for tech companies to take action. Investigators noted a significant presence of advertisements placed by organized crime groups on various platforms.
Mr. Tapp emphasized the government’s commitment to confronting these audacious smugglers who believe they can operate undetected on social media platforms. He highlighted the NCA’s successful crackdown on thousands of social media accounts associated with smuggling and announced forthcoming legislation targeting individuals promoting hazardous Channel crossings online.
The new law will criminalize the creation of content that encourages violations of immigration laws, including endorsing small boat journeys, offering fake documents, or illegal work opportunities. The NCA disclosed that 10,700 illicit ads were removed in 2025, some of which promoted fraudulent services like sham marriages, forged identity papers, or assistance with bogus asylum claims. These ads, posted in multiple languages, also included promises of “jet boats” for transportation to the UK and a “taxi service” on the back of trucks.
Mike Hulett, head of the NCA’s Online Communication Centre, emphasized the agency’s strategy of disrupting criminal networks by targeting their social media presence, which has yielded valuable intelligence for investigations. Collaborating with social media companies, the NCA continues its efforts to eradicate such illicit content while advocating for further measures to prevent platforms from being exploited for criminal activities.