Sir Keir Starmer has been called upon to visit migrant camps in northern France, as the mayor of Ambleteuse, Stephane Pinto, stressed the need for stronger cooperation between the UK and France to address the growing crisis of small boat crossings.
“We must put in place measures to stop bodies on our beaches,” Mr Pinto urged, as there is a rising number of migrant deaths in the English Channel. Last year saw a record number of fatalities, with at least 78 people losing their lives attempting the perilous journey.
The UK Home Office revealed that while small boat crossings peaked at 45,774 in 2022, the numbers remain high, with 36,816 migrants detected in 2024.
Despite efforts by French police, who reportedly stopped 28,000 attempted crossings last year, the humanitarian crisis persists.
In Calais, a makeshift camp inside a former wine warehouse has become home to hundreds of migrants, lacking basic necessities such as toilets or running water.
Zinki, a Sudanese migrant, told BBC: “You see your brother die in the sea as you try to cross. Everyone has their own destiny.”
Akan, an Iranian migrant in a Dunkirk camp, recounted his own terrifying experience: “Our boat got a hole in it, and we were in the water for 30 minutes. We had to wait for the big French boat to save us. I thought we would die.”
Despite increasing pressure for action, Calais MP Marc De Fleurian rejected the idea of joint British-French beach patrols, arguing that the presence of UK police on French soil would be “perceived very badly.”
Instead, the UK and France have agreed to redirect over £7 million towards stronger law enforcement efforts against smuggling gangs.
When questioned on the UK government’s deterrence strategy, Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “One is they may die.”
As pressure mounts on both governments, Pinto’s call for Starmer to witness the crisis firsthand underscores the urgency of finding a humane and effective solution.