A government official has strongly criticized individuals using social media to openly advertise small boat trips to the UK, offering “jet boats” for the journey.
Mike Tapp stated that authorities are actively combating criminal networks involved in human trafficking, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison for promoting such services on platforms like TikTok. Over 10,000 posts and accounts were eliminated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the previous year.
According to the Home Office, 80% of individuals arriving via small boats utilized social media to facilitate their journeys, prompting calls for major tech companies to take action. Investigators reported that social media platforms are inundated with advertisements placed by organized crime syndicates.
In an interview with The Mirror, Mr. Tapp, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, stated: “We are actively combating the audacious human smugglers who believe they can promote their illicit services on social media platforms without detection – they are sorely mistaken.
“The NCA has made significant progress by cracking down on over 10,000 social media accounts associated with smuggling, dealing a direct blow to criminal networks. Our forthcoming legislation targeting smugglers who promote perilous Channel crossings via social media will soon take effect.
“We are enhancing operational capabilities to outpace the criminals peddling their illegal activities online.” The new offense applicable nationwide will criminalize the creation of content that encourages violations of immigration laws.
This includes endorsing small boat journeys and advertising counterfeit document services or illicit employment opportunities. The NCA disclosed today that 10,700 such advertisements were removed in 2025.
Some of these ads promoted fraudulent marriage services, fake identity documents, or assistance with deceptive asylum claims. Others enticed individuals with promises of small boat crossings, mentioning “jet boats” for transportation to the UK, as well as a “taxi service” within trucks.
These advertisements were published in various languages. Mike Hulett, head of the NCA’s Online Communication Centre, stated: “Targeting the social media presence of these criminal networks is one strategy we employ to disrupt their operations, and we are continuously expanding our approach.
“This effort also yields vital intelligence leads to identify criminals, and several ongoing investigations have stemmed from this approach. We maintain close collaboration with social media companies to eliminate such content, and our engagement with them has been constructive.
“However, it is evident that further action is necessary to prevent platforms from being exploited for promoting criminal services.”
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