Chaos on the Channel! A French border guard speedboat allegedly tried to ram a dinghy carrying 123 migrants just 100 feet off the French coast near Gravelines Beach. The dinghy had only just set off on its perilous journey towards Calais and the UK.
Migrant Crisis Escalates
This year, more than 19,000 migrants have braved the treacherous Channel crossing in small boats. Since Labour took power under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, over 5,500 have arrived. Just last Saturday, a staggering 450 migrants reached the UK in nine separate boats.
Pressure on UK and French Authorities
The surge in crossings continues to ramp up pressure on both sides of the Channel. In response, the Home Secretary has launched a new Border Security Command aimed at smashing ruthless smuggling gangs making millions from the migrant trade.
“The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command… to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit,” said a Home Office spokesperson.
Will New Measures Work?
As the government battles to get a hold on the situation, doubts remain about the effectiveness of these new steps. The Channel crossings keep presenting huge challenges for the UK and France alike, with no easy solution in sight.
