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Organised immigration crime involves moving a person across borders without legal permission or documentation with the assistance of an organised crime group. It is often referred to as ‘people smuggling’. It can also involve individuals remaining illegally within a country.
Signs to spot may include:
- Activity at isolated coastal locations, or at unusual times of the day, including attempts to guide vessels offshore to unusual areas or crew showing signs of nervousness.
- Strange pattens of payments being made, such as the receipt of frequent cash payments from multiple sources through bank accounts.
- False identity documents.
(Adapted from the National Crime Agency’s National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2021.)
Common clandestine ways for migrants to enter the UK are in transported by rail or ferry, in commercial shipping containers, or in small boats. Whatever their method of entering the UK however, without permission to work legally, migrants can be exploited and forced into modern slavery or turn to crime to support themselves. Read more at here
Also see our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking sections.
Say No to People Smuggling – Campaign Page and Partner Information Pack
Overview What is organised immigration crime
Information from the NPCC Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime (MSOIC) Unit Policing Slavery
UK Government – Report suspicious behaviour at sea: Project Kraken and Report suspicious behaviour at a small UK airfield and airports: Project Pegasus
Europol – Facilitation of Illegal Immigration | Crime areas
If you live near the coast, waterways or a rural airfield and see anything suspicious please report it to your local police or Crimestoppers quoting ‘Kraken’ (if near a waterway) or ‘Pegasus’ (if at an airfield).
Visit our section on Human Trafficking for more information on help and support for victims.
