France increases rescue boats in Channel to deal with crossings
France will increase the number of rescue boats in the English Channel to deal with the growing number of migrants trying to reach the UK.
The French have faced criticism for the incident in November 2021 in which 27 people drowned trying to reach the UK in a dinghy.
There has been a record number of crossings this year, and the two extra boats will help the French strengthen the coastguard’s rescue capabilities in the Channel-North Sea sector.
The Lapérouse survey vessel arrived in the port in Calais already, and the Kermorvan patrol ship will be there in the next few days.
UK payments to France to stop crossings
Last month, the UK agreed to increase payments to France by £8m more a year (total of £63m) to stop the small boat crossings.
The money is to pay for increased surveillance of French beaches – UK police will also be able to observe patrols within France.
It is thought French officers patrolling the coast will rise in number from about 250 to 350 over five months.
There have been record numbers of migrants crossing this year which has been blamed on a rise in the number of Albanian nationals making the journey.
So far, 12,000 Albanians have crossed into the UK using small boars, compared with just 50 in 2020.
