An agreement to ramp up efforts to stop illegal migrants from making perilous journeys across the Channel, worth EUR 72.2 million over the coming year, was signed by Britain and France on Monday.
So far this year, more than 40,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, up from 28,526 last year, putting pressure on new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Interior Minister Suella Braverman.
Suella Braverman signs new Channel migrant deal with France https://t.co/NCFTrGsUwj pic.twitter.com/gKgxv1Vy2n
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) November 14, 2022
“It is in the interests of both the U.K. and French governments to work together to solve this complex problem,” Minister Braverman said in a statement, after meeting with her French counterpart Gérald Darmanin in Paris on Monday morning.
“There are no quick fixes, but this new arrangement will mean we can significantly increase the number of French gendarmes patrolling the beaches in northern France and ensure UK and French officers are working hand in hand to stop the people smugglers,” she added.
Our migration deal with France will tackle illegal crossing by increasing patrols and security cooperation.
�� @SuellaBraverman pic.twitter.com/iIyU8gbXaX
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) November 14, 2022
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The British government said the multi-year deal would see a 40 percent increase in the number of U.K.-funded officers patrolling French beaches in the coming months.
British officers will also attend French-led control rooms to improve coordination and information sharing.
The agreement will strengthen security at ports by funding investment in surveillance technology, drones, detection dog teams, CCTV and helicopters to help detect and prevent crossings. The deal will also support reception and removal centres in France for migrants whose journeys to the U.K. are prevented.