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Local communities encouraged to speak up about people smuggling

We are encouraging local communities to speak up anonymously about people smuggling, to save lives, in a new campaign.

People smugglers are committing a serious crime and putting lives at risk. Many migrants face life-threatening journeys, often in overcrowded and unsafe vehicles or boats. And not everyone survives the journey.

Give information 100% anonymously

Last year, just under 40,000 people took the life-threatening risk to enter the UK by crossing the English Channel via a small boat. *

In 2024, over 70 people died when attempting to travel to the UK in a small boat. People smuggling gangs typically promise safe passage to the UK, when in reality, they may trick desperate people into making fatal journeys. *

If you know someone planning a perilous journey to illegally enter the UK, or if you have information about dangerous people smugglers, contact our charity immediately. Your action could prevent a tragedy.

The criminals involved in people smuggling are often involved in other harmful activities like drug trafficking and modern-day slavery.

You can keep people you know safe by reporting to Crimestoppers. We are independent of the police and the government, and we guarantee 100% anonymity.

Information can be given 100% anonymously to our charity in over 150 different languages, 365 days of the year, 24/7, by calling our UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, or by completing a safe and secure online form.

No amount of information is too small to pass on. Arresting one person or several criminal gang members can be helpful. A small act can play a big part in a wider plan.

Real stories with a 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.

Spotting the signs

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:

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 Crimestoppers anonymously, it could help save lives.
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.

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 involved, tell our charity 100% anonymously.

The kind of details that could help:

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 reg 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. Any information no matter how small, can be helpful.

“We must remember, people smugglers trade lives for profit. They bring people into the UK illegally and dangerously and it often leads to deaths.

“If you have information about someone involved in organised immigration crime or information about somebody who will be smuggled into the UK, tell our charity – you could literally help to save lives.

“We know it can be scary to speak up. You don’t want anyone to find out you said anything. At Crimestoppers, we never ask who you are, or where you’re from, just what you know about the crime and the criminals involved. There are no police, no courts and no judgement.

“In over 36 years since our charity started, we have always kept our promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts us. Together, we can create a safer, more just society for everyone.”

Gary Murray, Crimestoppers North West Regional Manager

* Home Office figures released on 1 January 2025 - BBC News story - Channel migrant arrivals in 2024 totalled 36,816