French police have intercepted only a fraction of small boat migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in the first week of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s one-in, one-out policy, with 1,157 migrants successfully reaching the UK in 14 boats, while just 243 were halted, reports BritPanorama.
Of those who crossed, only seven were returned to France, and three asylum seekers were processed. The situation raises significant concerns over the efficacy of current measures to control migrant crossings.
During a BBC interview on the matter, the Prime Minister urged French law enforcement to intensify efforts against dinghy crossings, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing the crisis.
An average of 83 migrants packed each boat during the week ending September 21, with a single vessel carrying a record 125 migrants reported on Saturday.
Criticism of French Enforcement
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the French government’s handling of the situation, stating, “It is clear the French are failing to stop the boats leaving their shores. Stopping just one migrant for every five that arrive in the UK is a disgrace.” He added that Labour should seek reimbursement for funds given for immigration support and emphasized that the only effective strategy is to remove every individual entering the UK illegally.
This comes after a record-breaking eight consecutive weeks where a higher number of migrants arrived in the UK than were intercepted in France. A Home Office spokeswoman stated that they are “working closely” with French authorities to address the persistent issue. The current state of affairs suggests a pressing need for strengthened cooperation between the two nations on immigration control.
As the debate continues, the UK government faces mounting pressure to devise a robust strategy that effectively addresses the challenges posed by illegal migrations across the English Channel.
