Tougher steps are needed if we are to stem the tide of smuggled migrants

The figures of illegal migrants entering the UK from the Channel are not just a handful but an increasing number over the last few years coming in on a regular basis.

This year 1,065 migrants from Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are known to have made the crossing.

Since lockdown an additional 844 migrants have reached the UK. The Home Secretary Priti Patel has been working with her French counterpart since December 2019 to stop the crossings and much expensive surveillance equipment has been deployed to end this illegal operation.

However, organised criminal gangs continue to smuggle migrants across the Channel, often to secluded areas such as Hastings and Pett Level where transport is waiting to collect them. The entire operation takes place seemingly undetected by Border Force or the police. Despite calls from the Dover and Deal MP to the Home Secretary to return the boats that enter Dover to France, Border Force allows these boats into Dover harbour and transfers the migrants to immigration.

Clearly Border Force is not taking the matter seriously and more stringent measures will need to be applied to stop the boats leaving France and entering UK waters.

While Germany is regarded as the top destination for refugees the UK is the main destination for economic migrants.

The migrants choose not to stay in France even though it provides better financial benefits, instead they see the UK as a “soft touch” and make that their choice.

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