New surge teams are being deployed on the beaches of France, according to the government
Andy Burnham has trumpeted a seven-year low in small boats bringing illegal migrants across the English Channel and promised ‘relentless’ action to tackle the problem as he hosts President Macron of France.
The prime minister spoke as his government said new French ‘surge teams’ were being deployed to tackle launches from the beaches of France and prevent ‘mega dinghies’ from coming across the Channel as part of up to £662m Britain is paying to tackle the problem.
In the coming weeks a team of 45 officers is being deployed to western beaches in France to tackle launches from further along the coast, nearly tripling French resource in the area, according to the government.
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Some 102 small boats brought migrants over the English Channel between June and August this year, a lower number than any year since 2019, when 57 vessels made the journey.
The summer months are usually a popular time for making the Channel crossing, as weather is usually calmer than the rest of the year.
At his first Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Burnham said: “The loaning of the (Bayeux) tapestry is a great example of French-British co-operation, the same co-operation that has helped us reduce summer small boat crossings to a seven-year low.”
He said earlier in a statement: “The progress we have seen this summer shows what can be achieved when the UK and France work together.
“But I am clear that we cannot be complacent. Smuggling gangs are constantly adapting their tactics, and the UK and France need to respond quickly and stay one step ahead of the criminals facilitating the dangerous crossings.
“The small boats crisis is a shared European challenge, and no country can solve it alone. Working with France and our international partners, we will restore order and control to our borders and prevent smugglers exploiting vulnerable migrants.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “We are boosting officer numbers to record highs to crack down on small boat launches and the gangs behind them. This work is bearing fruit. Over 48,000 crossing attempts have been prevented, small boat crossing numbers are down and removals of those here illegally are at record levels.
“But we are not complacent and we must be relentless. We will continue efforts on all fronts to tackle these illegal and dangerous crossings.”
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