The French authorities have set out plans to prevent people in small boats risking the dangerous Channel crossing to England after the Royal Navy agreed to deploy a vessel to the Strait of Dover, reports The Guardian.
Measures being taken include improved cooperation between law enforcement agencies and more surveillance and security on beaches along the northern French coastline.
The French interior minister, Christophe Castaner, said: “This plan should allow us to end these crossings by migrants who are not only illegal but also extremely dangerous. It is in our interest, as it is for the UK, to not allow new smugglers to operate which would attract new migrants.”
The UK’s home secretary, Sajid Javid, has previously faced criticism for denouncing people trying to cross the Channel as “illegal” migrants without offering evidence of their motivation in making the dangerous journey.
Experts have also said his threat to make it more difficult to successfully gain asylum in the UK, which he said would act as a deterrent to people thinking of attempting the crossing, would be unlawful.
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, has said the comments were part of a Conservative “obsession with maintaining a hostile environment”.
Javid said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this action from our French colleagues and it is vital we continue to work together to tackle the situation in the English Channel.”