Hardline migration policies adopted by governments across the globe have been a boon for people smugglers, fuelling demand and allowing them to raise their prices, according to a report.

The findings, released on Thursday by the Mixed Migration Centre of the Danish Refugee Council, and based on interviews with thousands of migrants and hundreds of smugglers, come as officials prepare to gather next week in Brussels to discuss how best to combat smuggling.

The centre said it had timed the release in order to provide policymakers – who have embraced slogans such as the British government’s “smash the gangs” – with evidence that could guide the discussions.

“Governments say they want to ‘break the business model’ of smugglers, yet our data shows the opposite is happening,” Roberto Fo

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