Suspected people smugglers could face travel and social media bans as the government announced a fresh crackdown in its bid to “smash the gangs” and cut arrivals on small boats.

Court orders to restrict the activity of those under investigation for such crimes will be strengthened as part of draft legislation to be introduced in the coming weeks, ministers said.

Suspects could be banned from using a laptop or mobile, accessing social media or finances, or associating with certain people, under new Home Office measures.

Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) can already be sought to curb the movement of people involved in organised immigration crime.

But the government says they are not being used to their full effect and plans to introduce new “interim” SCPOs designed to place “immediate” restrictions on suspects’ activity – with a breach leading to up to five years in prison.

Police and law enforcement bodies would be able to apply directly to the High Court for these orders without going through the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Home Office said.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Dangerous criminal people-smugglers are profiting from undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. 

“They cannot be allowed to get away with it… we will give law enforcement the stronger powers they need to pursue and stop more of these vile gang networks.”

The change will be included in the government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks.