The Home Office is using social media adverts to deter migrants from crossing the Channel to Britain, it has been revealed.
The adverts, seen by GB News, feature a warning written in both English and French, as well as other languages such as Arabic and Farsi, referencing the UK's "one in, one out" deal with France.
They read: "If you arrive in the UK by small boat illegally, you now risk being deported and will not be eligible to re-enter the UK nor remain in France without the legal right to do so."
The adverts also include a link to the UK and French Government's websites, where people smugglers can find information on the "reality of life in the UK", featuring "real stories" from others who came to Britain illegally.
A statement on the UK Government website page reads: "People smugglers will tell you that travelling illegally to the UK will be safe and easy and that you’ll be able to build a good life here. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"Travelling to the UK illegally will cost you a lot of money. It could even cost you your life.
"Men, women and children have died trying to get to the UK in small boats or hidden in lorries."
Britain's migrant returns deal with France came into force last month.
More than 29,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year
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Under the treaty, anyone entering the UK on a small boat can be returned to France on arrival, in exchange for those who apply and are approved to come to Britain.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said earlier this week that the Government "fully expects" migrants to be returned across the Channel this month as part of the deal.
The digital adverts will be produced in languages which are likely to be spoken by migrants such as Arabic and Farsi, according to The Times.
They will also display on platforms such as Youtube and Facebook if the user meets demographics that suggest they may plan to come to Britain illegally, the newspaper reported.
Around 80 per cent of small boat migrants told officials thye used social media during their journey to Britain, according to Home Office figures released last month
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Social media is often used by Channel-crossing migrants, including to contact agents linked to people smuggling gangs.
Figures released by the Home Office last month found that around 80 per cent of small boat migrants told officials they used social media during their journey to Britain.
Ministers are seeking to create a new offence under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill already going through Parliament which will mean anyone who advertises small boat crossings or fake passports on social media could face up to five years in prison.
The proposed measure will further make it a crime to post content online that encourages someone to break UK immigration law in exchange for financial incentives.
It would also outlaw the promise of illegal working being promoted online.
Upon announcing the plans, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media.
"We are determined to do everything we can to stop them, wherever they operate."
The Government is facing mounting pressure to tackle Channel crossings, as the latest data shows more than 29,000 migrants have arrived in Britain by small boat so far this year.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had received "intelligence" that migrant children are sometimes sedated before they make the journey.
In a statement, the CPS said: “We’ve received intelligence that children are sometimes being sedated before they are taken on life-threatening journeys across international waters.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute people smugglers and continue to work with our partners at home and abroad to bring them to justice.”