The only way to stop the dangerous Channel crossing by small boats

sir – As a former director (ports) in the UK Immigration Service (as it was), I have been dismayed to read of the large number of illegal immigrants arriving daily in small boats.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is considering asking for naval help, while saying she doesn’t want it to become “a taxi service”. That is precisely what the Border Force vessels have become and, indeed, it has been reported that small boats are deliberately heading towards them in the knowledge that they will be brought to Britain after interception.

So what would be different about the strategy if naval vessels were used instead of the current Border Force arrangements?

There is only one way of stopping this illegal traffic and that is immediately to return to France every person who is intercepted. Those seeking asylum (as almost every one of the migrants will be claiming) are required to apply in the first safe country in which they arrive, so there is no good reason why they should not be returned. Indeed, in the past the French have returned immigrants to Italy in similar circumstances.

The traffickers and immigrants would soon realise that there was no good purpose in attempting the dangerous crossing. It would also be beneficial to the French, who are currently having to deal with thousands of immigrants assembling in camps in the Calais area and are furthermore using resources to try to control the traffic in their own waters.

Peter Higgins

West Wickham, Kent

sir – The surge in dangerous Channel crossings has led to criticism of French authorities for not preventing them.

Britain’s minister for immigration is visiting his opposite number to demand action. Good luck with that! If the situation were reversed and we had thousands of illegal immigrants – economically inactive, welfare dependent, with perhaps a sprinkling of Isil sympathisers – camped on the south coast and attempting to cross to

sir – The current concern over illegal immigrants crossing the Channel and possible use of naval assets highlights a serious issue that I have raised in the Lords over the last four years.

Britain has insufficient ships and airborne reconnaissance to ensure the security of 11,000 miles of coastline, Territorial Seas and almost 300,000 square miles of Exclusive Economic Zone. Disparate departments involved are not operationally co-ordinated.

The Royal Navy is, and needs to be, fully involved and should be in overall command, responsible for allocation of assets and running events from the Joint Maritime Operations Coordination Centre alongside the National Maritime Intelligence Centre.

Our departure from the EU makes this matter more pressing.

Admiral Lord West of Spithead (Lab)

London SW1