People-smuggling gangs defy TikTok ban to advertise deadly journeys from Europe to UK

PEOPLE-smuggling gangs have defied a TikTok ban to advertise deadly journeys from Europe to the UK.

Albanian thugs have defied a clampdown from the social media giant to plug so called "safe passage" journeys in lorries to the UK for migrants - at a rate of more than £20,000 per family.

Some 10 ads were found on TikTok during a Sunday Mirror investigation - with one even promising a chance to meet the Queen and another pledging a spot near the driver on routes from Belgium and Spain.

One user posted a sicken clip of London's Bond Street with a Union Jack, and wrote: "The last journey this year to meet the Queen in England. Secure journey inside the head of the lorry. 100% secure. For more DM (direct message)."

Another - flung up as soon as December 21, spoke of "another journey to England" in which they were "on the head of the lorry".

The ad was promising potential buyers a "secure journey to England" for £24,000.

The shocking commercials come six days after the National Crime Agency brokered agreements with TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

The companies promised "greater collaboration against crime groups using the internet to recruit, communicate and advertise services to migrants".

In November, 27 migrants drowned to death when their dinghy sank while crossing the Channel from France to the UK.

On Christmas Eve, 150 refugees - including children and a baby - were intercepted in the Channel with 35 arriving just before midnight.

Immigration minister Tom Pursglove said of the web crackdown: "People smugglers use social media to glamorise, promote and profiteer from these lethal crossings and we are determined to stop them".

Those with the funds to take the perilous journey are being forced to pay in cash.

An undercover reporter for the Mirror Sunday messaged a trafficker, who then provided a UK mobile number and demanded £22,000 to paid on arrival in England.

When asked where they would meet, the criminal wrote: "Brussels. That's where drivers gather the people".

Some 21,365 people were detained after illegally entering the UK in the year to September.

Ex-border control officer Chris Hobbs said: "There is a responsibility for social media to do more. This could lead to a loss of life."

TikTok has since barred users identified by the publication and said the ads had "no place" on the social media platform.

The company said it was investing in "people and technology to remove content to this nature".

It comes as more migrants arrived in Britain by small boats on Wednesday than throughout the whole of December last year.

Home Office officials confirmed that 258 people in eight boats were rescued or intercepted.

It compares with 211 who arrived throughout the whole of the month this time last year.