Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to use counter-terrorism tactics to stop people-smuggling gangs "before they act", as he announced an extra £75m to police the UK's borders.
In a speech, the prime minister said the UK's new Border Security Command (BSC) would "treat people smugglers like terrorists", with enhanced powers to trace suspected human traffickers and shut down their bank accounts.
The cash boost, which will be used to hire hundreds of new investigators and intelligence officers, takes the funding for the BSC to a total of £150m.
But former immigration chief Kevin Saunders said the changes would not deter illegal migrants from coming to the UK and stop small boat crossings.