Dozens of migrants were intercepted in the English Channel on Wednesday as a surge in small boat crossings from France continues. The Daily Express reported that a French navy ship, Ridens, escorted an overcrowded inflatable boat carrying scores of men to the midpoint of the Channel. From there, the UK Border Force vessel Typhoon took over, bringing the migrants to Dover.
This latest incident follows a significant increase in crossings this week. According to Home Office figures, 326 migrants crossed the Channel on Tuesday, adding to the 182 on Monday and 592 on Sunday. Tragically, at least five people have died attempting the crossing this year, prompting French mayors to call for more support as bodies continue to wash up on their shores.
Smugglers are taking advantage of improving weather conditions to launch more boats, exacerbating the ongoing crisis. Former Border Force director-general Tony Smith warned that the situation, combined with weaknesses in the UK’s visa system, should be a major concern for the government.
He noted that despite efforts by successive governments to reduce asylum intake, the problem has worsened. Smith highlighted the dire conditions in northern France, where hundreds of migrants are living in unsanitary camps without basic amenities like running water, waiting for an opportunity to cross to the UK.
In response to the crisis, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced new measures to tackle the issue. Migrants who refuse to be rescued by French authorities could face up to five years in prison under a new offense targeting those who endanger lives during crossings. This includes individuals who resist French police, hold children over the edge of boats, or rush vessels during launch attempts. Additionally, criminals involved in selling or handling small boat parts, such as engines or lifejackets, could face up to 14 years in prison. The Home Office is also considering extraditing individuals involved in people smuggling from countries like Turkey to face prosecution in the UK.
Cooper outlined Labour’s plan to combat the crisis, which includes giving Border Force counter-terrorism-style powers to disrupt and dismantle people-smuggling networks.
Former police chief Martin Hewitt, who recently became the border security commander, will lead efforts to coordinate law enforcement agencies and take swift action against Channel crossings. Immigration officers and police will also have the authority to seize electronic devices suspected of containing information related to organized immigration crime.
The Home Office has described the situation as a “floating crime scene,” with many migrants too traumatized to speak about the horrors they’ve endured during their journeys. The government’s new measures aim to address the crisis more effectively, but the ongoing surge in crossings highlights the complexity of the issue and the need for international cooperation to find long-term solutions.
