The Home Office has stated that French police tactics are becoming more effective in preventing small boats in the English Channel from reaching Britain. French authorities are credited with intercepting 185 potential crossings involving 4,300 migrants this summer over four separate weeks, and stopping 12 boats at sea using new techniques.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the "UK-France deal is already having a real impact." The Home Office, citing French police figures, noted that since a deal was struck with France three months ago, which included additional funding, 61% of small boats have been intercepted. This represents a five per cent increase compared to last year.
The UK-France Border Security deal, agreed in April under the Starmer government, includes £501m over three years to strengthen operations in northern France and £161m for new approaches. Charlie Eastaugh, director of maritime and small boats at the Border Security Command, told the BBC that "last Thursday alone, the French prevented all three of the boats that tried to cross."
Despite the reported increase in interceptions, thousands of migrants are still reaching the UK, with 250 arriving on Monday. Channel crossings are down about 40% compared to last year. The Conservatives described the announcement as a "joke," stating that Channel crossing preventions were "down by half over the past year."