French Becoming More Effective in Stopping Small Boat Crossings, UK Says
The UK Home Office has reported that French police tactics are becoming more successful in preventing small boat crossings from the English Channel to Britain. They attribute this success to French authorities intercepting 185 potential crossings involving 4,300 migrants over four weeks this summer, as well as stopping 12 boats at sea using innovative techniques.
Footage released by French police depicts officers rapidly responding to a launch on beach in jeeps, successfully intercepting it, and subsequently slashing the boat lengthways with a knife.
The Conservatives have criticized the announcement, calling it a "joke" and stating that Channel crossing prevention measures have only decreased by half over the past year. Despite a 40% drop in overall crossings compared to last year, 250 migrants still arrived in the UK on Monday.
In late July, a record 165 migrants reached the UK in a single boat, highlighted by the towing of a massive 13-meter-long dinghy by Border Security Command when it arrived in Dover.
According to the Home Office, since the UK-France Border Security deal was struck in April, 61% of small boats have been intercepted, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood attributed the deal’s success to its impact.
The UK-France agreement includes £501 million over three years to enhance operations in northern France and £161 million for new approaches. Previously, French authorities would permit most dinghies to proceed towards the UK upon launch due to the difficulty of intercepting them in deep water.
Of the 12 dinghies stopped at sea this year, three interceptions occurred in the last two weeks. The specific techniques used have not been disclosed by either the UK or France.
Charlie Eastaugh, director of maritime and small boats at Border Security Command, commended the French authorities, stating that they "prevented all three of the boats that tried to cross" last Thursday, with two at sea and one on land. He noted that the reduction in crossings this year is not solely attributed to weather, but rather the effectiveness of French prevention measures.
