France is finally committing to increasing patrols at its Channel coastline in an effort to keep migrants from sailing for Britain.
Last night, Emmanuel Macron’s government pledged that its security forces would remain in action ‘day-and-night’ from Dunkirk up to the Somme.
French officials revealed details for the first time of how they have spent £9million from the British taxpayer, agreed as part of a £54million deal in the summer.
Police are on patrol at the area of migrants’ beach between Wimereux, Audresselles and Northern France.
The interior ministry spokeswoman said that more than 100 vehicles were being transported to the ground in support of patrols or arrests. They are equipped with the appropriate equipment for each terrain.
Special kit could include 4x4s and rigid-hulled vessels, as well as quad bikes and four-wheelers. A spokesperson said that twenty-five of the vehicles were already delivered, and they are currently being used daily by the military. Other vehicles will follow in 2022 and December.
However, the French didn’t announce additional personnel.
During the last major Channel surge – which saw the ‘Jungle’ camp spring up near Calais in 2015 – France sent in 3,500 officers from its mobile police unit, the CRS. There are only a handful of hundred reservist Gendarmes deployed at the moment.
Officials from the UK believe that the French are unable to cope with the large numbers of organised crime gangs.
France said British cash will also be spent on ‘high-performance night-vision equipment
YesterdayFrance announced that British funds will also go to ‘high performance night-vision equipment.’ and thermal cameras.
Purchases of ‘Specially adapted clothing, searchlights and interception equipment, as well as torches, were also made.
It is an homage to the French minister of war Andre Maginot’s defensive line, which was built in the 1930s. The equipment will be used for’secureing the coastline strip of more than 130km’. [100 miles]From the Dunkirk to the Bay of the Somme area’.
According to the spokesman, “As part the fight against illegal migration along the Channel coast and to protect the lives of those often in crisis, the ministry is mobilizing its security forces daily and night to monitor and prevent the passage of makeshift boats to Britain and to arrest people smugglers.”
An unknown group of migrants were found stranded in a boat, before they were rescued by the Folkestone Coast of Kent.
French Gendarmes guard the beaches of Tardinghen, near Calais the northern port.
According to a British source, the French have begun work on reducing these horrific crossings.
Priti Patel (Home Secretary) blamed EU’s Free Movement Policy for allowing thousands to cross the Continent and reach France.
France, however, has rejected British suggestions to let UK officers work across the Channel to find people-smuggling operation.
Six out of ten migrants arrive in France only on the day they attempt to cross – arriving from Belgium and the Netherlands.
People smugglers are charging more than £3,300 per head to make a Channel crossing, according to latest intelligence.