Crimestoppers
Fearless
People smugglers trade lives for profit
They bring people into the UK illegally and dangerously, often leading to deaths. If you have information about someone involved organised immigration crime, tell our charity – you could help save lives.
بۆ خوێندنەوەی ئەمە بە زمانی سۆرانی، لێرە کلیک بکە.
Give information 100% anonymously
Organised immigration crime is a grave issue that affects not only the individuals involved but also the broader community. Criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, often subjecting them to dangerous and inhumane conditions to illegally enter the UK. These organised crime gangs profit from human suffering and their actions often lead to severe consequences:
- Many migrants face life-threatening journeys, often in overcrowded and unsafe vehicles or boats. Tragically, not everyone survives the journey. The perilous conditions include exposure to extreme weather, lack of food and water, and the risk of drowning or suffocation. These journeys are often undertaken with the promise of a better life, but the reality is far more harrowing.
- The presence of organised crime gangs can lead to increased violence and criminal activities within communities. These gangs often engage in other illegal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crimes which harm everyone in the community.
- Migrants are often forced into exploitative labour or sex work, living in fear and unable to seek help. They may be coerced into working in unsafe conditions for little or no pay, with their movements and communications strictly controlled by these criminal gangs.
- People who have made the harrowing journeys themselves understand the dangers and levels of exploitation and violence involved in these perilous and possibly fatal journeys.
If you know someone planning a perilous journey to illegally enter the UK, contact our charity immediately. Your action could prevent a tragedy and protect lives.
Give information 100% anonymously
Recognising the signs of organised immigration crime involvement can help protect those at risk and disrupt criminal activities.
Here are some key indicators to watch out for:
- Suspicious online activity: report suspicious online activity from social media platforms and mobile messaging apps. Many traffickers use digital channels such as TikTok and Facebook to recruit and exploit victims
- Unusual activity at coastal locations: suspicious movements at isolated coastal areas in the UK can indicate illegal activities. This often involves boats arriving or departing under the cover of darkness, or people being transferred between vessels. These individuals may then make their way into local communities, blending in and continuing their journey undetected.
- People emerging from vehicles: individuals seen exiting the back of lorries or vans at service stations or roadsides, especially near coastal and port locations, can indicate human smuggling. These individuals may appear disoriented, frightened, or in poor physical condition.
- Within your local community: you may be aware of individuals in your own community involved in illegally bringing vulnerable people into the UK. If you recall any details of your own dangerous journey to the UK, tell us, it could help save lives.
What can you do to help stop the criminals behind it?
In an emergency always call 999.
If you’ve spotted any of the warning signs, witnessed a crime, or know about the criminals behind one, tell our charity, 100% anonymously.
- Who is committing the crime? Even if you don’t have a name, any details about the person/people, such as what they look/sound like, the language they speak or the make, model or registration number of any vehicles they use is helpful.
- When and where did you see something criminal or suspicious? Again, it’s OK if you don’t have all the precise details, but anything about the location or time, either here in the UK or abroad, could be useful.
- What did you see/what do you know? The more descriptive you can get about what you’ve seen, know, or suspect, the better. The clearer the information is, the more helpful it will be to help authorities build the bigger picture. This could include things such as any known social media channel use and any unfamiliar members of the community frequently visiting those you suspect. However, any information, no matter how small, can be helpful.
If you are aware of someone intending to undertake a dangerous journey to illegally enter the UK, please reach out to our charity right away. Your information could prevent a tragedy and save lives.
Give information 100% anonymously
Real stories, real impact
Understanding the impact of organised immigration crime can be powerful. These two stories highlight the human cost:
- A tragic journey: in one case, a group of migrants was found in the back of a lorry, suffering from severe dehydration and heat exhaustion. They had been promised a safe passage to the UK but were instead subjected to horrific conditions. Sadly, not all of them survived the journey.
- Community resilience: in a coastal town, residents noticed unusual boat activity and reported it to authorities. Their vigilance led to the discovery of a human smuggling operation, resulting in the rescue of several migrants and the arrest of the traffickers.
Organised immigration crime is a complex issue, but we can help to end it, by protecting vulnerable individuals and safeguard our communities. Speaking up to our charity can make a significant difference.
We know how scary speaking up can be – you don’t want anyone to find out you said anything. We never ask who you are, or where you’re from, just what you know about the crime and the criminals involved.
Together, we can change the course of organised immigration crime and create a safer, more just society for everyone.
Our charity will never ask who you are, or where you’re from, only what you know about the crime and criminals involved. No police, no courts, no judgement.
Give information 100% anonymously
20 January 2025
