'Three-pronged' attack to stop the people smugglers

THE UK is waging a "three-pronged attack" on people smugglers to break their business models - blocking their profits, boat supply and addressing directly would-be asylum seekers.

- Michael Knowles

Investigators are targeting the criminals' convoluted finances, their operations by seizing boats and engines while trying to warn those tempted to pay to cross the Channel that they will be deported.

The Home Office has seen evidence of migrants abandoning attempts to reach the UK as it is "too difficult".

Officials have described their tactics as trying to make the smugglers' lives "more difficult" by blocking their ability to offer migrants a crossing.

This, they hope, will deter more people from trying to make it over the Channel, because they will lose confidence in the criminals' operations, and will seek refuge elsewhere.

A key element of the law enforcement crackdown will be a renewed focus on the smugglers and fresh attempts to seize their vast profits.

And they want to lock up more of the boats and engines used by traffickers to smuggle migrants into Britain to further hit cash flows.