Words alone will not save migrants’ lives

IT’S more than three weeks since Home Secretary Sajid Javid curtailed his Christmas holiday to ‘take control’ of Government efforts to counter the new wave of migrants crossing the Channel in flimsy boats.

His words were unequivocally bullish. He declared the situation ‘a major incident’ and announced that two extra Border Force cutters would be deployed as part of ‘action on many fronts’ to deter the asylum seekers – and the criminals who traffic them.

There were telephone consultations with his French counterpart on the need for joint operations and a top-level strategy meeting with the National Crime Agency.

‘I want to stop this now, as much as I possibly can,’ he said.

So how is that going so far? Judging by the fact that three boats and at least 16 migrants arrived on the south coast yesterday alone, not very well.

The extra cutters have not arrived, enhanced aerial surveillance over the Channel was considered but ruled out and there is little to suggest a new surge in Anglo-French operations.

Indeed for all Mr Javid’s big talk, Home Office policy is beginning to look more like ‘inaction on many fronts’.

True, this new stream of refugees is nowhere near the size of the migrant exodus across the Mediterranean, where 170 are feared drowned after two more dinghies capsized on Saturday – bringing the death toll in the first three weeks of this year to a horrifying 200.

But it does need to be urgently addressed, on humanitarian grounds as well as for border security.

The fear that should concern us all is that some of those desperate enough to try could die making this extremely hazardous crossing of the busiest sea lane in the world.

If ministers don’t want that on their conscience, they must stop posturing and get a grip. Words and good intentions will not save lives.