A press release from the cabinet of British Secretary of State Patel said that France, with the support of the United Kingdom, will deploy additional resources in the fight against illegal migration, with additional patrols on the north coast between Boulogne and Dunkirk and to the north-west around of Dieppe. . Additional surveillance technology will also be introduced on the French side to prevent crossing attempts, including aerial surveillance. Finally, investments will be made in infrastructure to increase security.

Last year, France doubled the number of officers on the beaches with the support of London. The country also invested in technology and improved data sharing. As a result, twice as many crosses could be avoided this year as last year. “As the French were able to stop more crossings, the criminal gangs changed their tactics. They moved further away on the French coast and forced the migrants to follow even longer and more dangerous routes,” the press release said. According to the BBC, about 8,000 people on 345 ships have reached the British coast since the beginning of the year.

The British Parliament is currently considering a Patel bill on reforming the asylum system. The goal is to discourage illegal immigration, including treating asylum seekers who have entered the country legally or illegally differently. The prison terms that migrants risk if they want to re-enter the country illegally will also be increased from six months to four years. Human traffickers risk life imprisonment, compared to fourteen years today.