‘Migrants will die in Channel’
THE Home Secretary has cut short his holiday to deal with the migrant crisis in the English Channel, as the MP for Dover warned lives will be lost.
Speaking with Border Force officers in Dover yesterday, immigration minister Caroline Nokes said that Sajid Javid would be “at his desk on Monday” to deal with the situation.
About 300 migrants have attempted the 20-mile crossing since last month, with many making their way across Europe from Iran, before paying up to £5,000 to enter the UK.
Since Christmas Eve, there have been almost 100, with 40, including two children, picked up on Christmas Day.
The crisis was declared a “major incident” by Mr Javid on Friday after two more inflatable boats were intercepted carrying 12 people.
Ms Nokes said: “He [Mr Javid] will be at his desk on Monday. He is taking control of the situation and I am in regular contact with him.”
When asked if the migrants should be sent back to France, she said it was “critical” to react appropriately and judge each incident.
“We are dealing with people’s lives, people who have taken a terrible risk,” she said. “We are working with the French to find the most effective route for returns for those who it is appropriate for.”
Witnesses said gangs in France canvassed migrant camps, touting crossings, with
“criminal smuggling tworks”
CONCERN: Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover
leading the way. Dover MP Charlie Elphicke accused French authorities of “turning a blind eye” to the issue.
He said: “It’s reaching unprecedented levels. Macron needs to get a grip and put a stop to the trafficking networks across France. It is almost inevitable that lives will be lost if this continues.
“We could be looking at a tragedy in the middle of the English Channel.”
He said refugees should seek asylum in the first safe country, “not the last country – Britain is the last country”.
He said: “There are questions to ask. If they should be returned to France or the first safe country they came to – as that is the right place to claim asylum.”
Last night the National Crime Agency said it was working with their French counterparts. Dozens of attempts had been thwarted and only last week three people smugglers were charged.
In the past three weeks French police have disrupted many attempts involving at least 95 migrants, including nine children, and arrested seven people smugglers.
NCA’s Chris Hogben said: “Working with our French partners we would anticipate further arrests over the coming weeks and more attempts to reach the UK are likely.”
Ingrid Parrot at French Maritime Prefecture for the English Channel said the number of small boat crossings rose from 23 in 2016 to 70 this year. She said: “We have smugglers on the French coast and it is really a criminal organisation.”