A suspected people smuggling gang accused of offering a ‘ferry service’ for migrants has been snared in London this morning.

Four men and one woman were detained in Hounslow and Croydon after intelligence suggested they were part of an organised crime network.

The Home Office said they allegedly offered “a sophisticated ‘ferry’ style service for Vietnamese migrants by meeting them, concealing them in vehicles under the driver’s knowledge and boarding ferries destined for the UK”.

They would then be taken to “pre-determined” locations, where other members of the gang would take them to accommodation.

The suspected smuggling gang are believed to have been operating since 2024.

The Home Office on Thursday claimed it has increased “disruptions” of people smuggling gangs by 33%.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp said: “This morning immigration officers took action against one of their top priority investigations, targeting a suspected prolific people smuggling gang. They have now all been arrested.

“Anyone who abuses our immigration rules should be in no doubt we will root them out.

“With enforcement arrests at a record high and a 33% increase in disrupting organised immigration crime, we are equipping officers with the tools they need to restore order to our borders.”

Prosecutors will now work alongside Immigration Enforcement teams to build up a court case.