The UK and France have increased police resources on the French coast to address the rising use of larger vessels, termed "mega-dinghies," by smugglers attempting to cross the English Channel. Downing Street announced these measures ahead of political talks between Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron in Downing Street today.
Measures include the deployment of a surge team of 45 officers to France’s western beaches in the coming weeks, which will almost triple resources in that area. Additionally, a specialist French intelligence and judicial team focused on prosecuting smuggling networks has grown from 18 to 30 officers. A new 75-strong unit has also commenced operations in northern France, increasing the total number of officers to nearly 1,050.
While the combined number of boat crossings over the summer months has reportedly dropped to its lowest since 2019, smugglers are said to be loading more people onto fewer, larger vessels. These dinghies are reportedly being launched as far as 150 miles southwest of Calais. Home Office officials have claimed that 15-metre boats, capable of carrying 230 people, are being launched due to the effectiveness of hardline tactics used by French police and funded by the UK.
The BBC reported on Thursday that people smugglers are being forced to collaborate and use larger boats, and have increased their prices for a Channel journey from €1,300 to €1,700 (£1120 to £1460) over the last year. Critics are calling for both governments to do more.