Risks of illegal migration
The dangers of travelling to the UK illegally.
Travelling to the UK illegally is a lot more risky than people think. People smugglers don’t care about your safety – only your money. Many people, including children, have been seriously injured or even died trying to travel to the UK in unsafe small boats or lorries. No more lives should be lost in this way.
Even if you survive the dangerous journey, the potential risks once you reach the UK are huge, whether you’re detained by UK authorities or not. These are just some of the risks illegal migrants face.
Risks of travelling to the UK in a small boat
The risks of trying to cross the sea to the UK in a small boat include:
- dangerously overcrowded boats – people smugglers squeeze in as many people as possible
- boats which are unsuitable for long journeys and rough seas – many end up breaking up during the journey
- being hit by a bigger boat – the sea between England and France is the busiest shipping area in the world
- treacherous sea conditions which can change quickly and lead to boats capsizing or sinking
- falling into the sea – if that happens, you can drown in minutes because the water is so cold and, even if you’re lucky enough to be wearing a life jacket, it won’t save you from hypothermia
Risk of travelling by lorry
The risks of trying to enter the UK illegally on a lorry include:
- being run over and seriously injured, or even killed if you try to climb on to a moving vehicle
- freezing to death if a people smuggler makes you get in a refrigerated lorry
- suffocating if you’re put in a sealed container or lorry
- being crushed by items falling on top of you
- falling off into the road or underneath the lorry
Risk of being caught and detained
UK and European authorities work closely together to stop people from entering the UK illegally so chances of being caught are high. You risk:
- being sent to a detention centre before being removed, either back to your home country or a safe third country like Rwanda
- ending up with a criminal record as it’s a criminal offence to enter the UK illegally
Risk of becoming a victim of modern slavery
The people who arrange your journey are often part of organised crime gangs. All they care about is money. They promise you a better life in the UK, but the truth is, they may force you into dangerous situations to pay off the money you owe them for the journey to the UK.
If you get involved with people smugglers or criminal gangs, you could end up:
- owing more money than you thought to criminals
- becoming part of a dangerous criminal network – putting yourself and your family at risk
- unable to send any money home to your family
- working for them in dangerous conditions for low or no wages and being charged lots of money for travel and poor-quality accommodation
It was very scary. The situation took a turn when heavy rain began to fall, causing the boat to fill with water up to our shins.
Firsthand account – identity protected.
Travelling to the UK illegally is a lot more dangerous than people realise. Hear B share their experience of the risky journey to the UK and the consequences.