Migrant crossings are ‘becoming major threat’ to UK border

Migrants risking their lives crossing the dangerous English Channel in huge numbers are becoming a “major threat” to the UK Border, a committee has heard.

Tony Smith, a former head of the Border Force, told the Commons home affairs committee that he cannot see an immediate end to the crisis.

He also commented on widely shared footage that some have claimed shows a French Navy ship escorting a migrant dinghy into British waters this week.

At least 1,121 migrants have now crossed to the UK on small boats since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, according to data gathered by the PA news agency.

More migrants were picked up by French authorities yesterday and others are believed to have crossed to Britain.

Mr Smith said: “This was declared a critical incident by the home secretary last year.

“In my experience critical incidents are declared in order to put out the fire if you like with a task force and that when the fire’s put out we return to business as normal.

“It’s too enduring to be just a critical incident.

“I think this is becoming a major threat, I’m afraid, to the UK border,” he said.

The committee heard that migrants are told by smugglers that if they get picked up by Border Force then they will get into the UK.

Mr Smith said the government needs to have a “very serious look” at its capabilities.

He said: “We haven’t really geared ourselves up to a major maritime threat like this either in terms of our infrastructure, our powers, our response capability or our international response capability with France.

“This is all driven by money and smugglers.

“You need to send a very, very clear message that that’s not going to work.”

Mr Smith said the message that is getting out is that migrants who are picked up by Border Force are “essentially guaranteed” passage to a British port and it is unlikely they will ever be returned anywhere.