New French surge team faces criticism over limitations on tackling migrant crossings
Forty-five French police officers have been criticized as “next to useless” due to restrictions preventing them from entering the water to address small boat crossings, reports BritPanorama.
A new “surge team” will patrol the French coastline, aiming to disrupt criminal gangs involved in launching mega-dinghies that can carry up to 230 migrants. The officers in this unit require special permission from their commanders to enter the water following the launch of these boats, which is contingent on operational assessments at the time.
However, entering the water is likely only to be permitted if there is an immediate threat to life. Critics argue that this restriction effectively limits the officers’ ability to intervene once the boats are already launched.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp expressed strong disapproval, stating, “It’s a joke these officers can’t even go into knee-deep water to stop illegal immigrants. This will mean they’re next to useless.” He emphasized that having more officers is moot if they are barred from proactive measures once dinghies set sail.
Philp recounted a personal observation in France, noting that armed French Gendarmes were powerless to act while illegal migrants embarked in shallow waters. He called for withholding the £660 million funding agreement until France effectively prevents all boat launches in these areas.
The surge team’s formation follows discussions between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street, where addressing such migration issues was central to their dialogue. The two leaders viewed the Bayeux Tapestry during their meeting, underscoring the importance of Franco-British cooperation on this pressing matter.
This surge team will comprise both gendarmes and reservists from the Police Nationale, with over 1,000 officers patrolling the beaches along the northern coast of France. Despite recent claims by French officials that they are stopping approximately 60% of departures, interceptions of migrants remain notably lower at 34%.
As crossings are increasingly occurring over 100 miles from Calais, the situation is becoming more dire, with the average dinghy now carrying about 80 individuals. In response to the growing concern, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has defended the French police, arguing that operational risks to migrants’ lives limit their actions at the water’s edge.
Mahmood stated, “If you only look at activity that’s happening at the water’s edge, that’s the last point at which anything can be done.” She noted the disruptions occurring further inland, which aim to prevent individuals from reaching the shoreline.
Downing Street confirmed that both leaders had agreed to enhance cooperation across a wide range of shared challenges, with a spokesperson asserting that operational teams were making progress in reducing the number of crossings. It remains critical for this success to be scaled across Europe to mitigate illegal migration effectively.
The recent developments illustrate the complexities surrounding the management of migrant crossings from France to the UK, where operational limitations and the humanitarian implications complicate enforcement efforts.
