Surprising: More Than 700 Migrants Head Towards the UK After People Smugglers Launch Major New Channel Crossing Tactic

More than 300 people who crossed the English Channel in small boats had already reached UK waters this morning, while another 400 were still in French waters attempting to make the journey, as people-smuggling gangs launched what has been described as a major coordinated operation along the French coastline.

The large-scale crossing effort stretched across a wide section of northern France, with criminal gangs sending boats into the Channel from several different locations in an apparent attempt to overwhelm the authorities. After spending recent weeks launching boats from areas much further south than usual, the smugglers appear to have changed their strategy once again.

Instead of relying on a handful of regular departure points, boats were launched from multiple locations between Dunkirk in the north and Dieppe, around 100 miles further south. The aim is believed to have been to spread French police and coastguard resources as thinly as possible, making it harder for officers to stop every boat before it reached the water.

Since the early hours of the morning, at least 10 small boats have been launched, according to reports. More than 300 people had already entered UK waters, while at least another 400 remained in French waters, continuing their attempt to cross the Channel.

A maritime security source described the operation as a “full-frontal assault” by organised people-smuggling gangs. The source said the gangs had become frustrated in recent weeks because increased police patrols around Calais and Dunkirk had made it much more difficult to launch boats from their usual locations.

As a result, smugglers began moving further south along the French coast, with many departures taking place around the Dieppe area. However, today’s activity suggests they have changed tactics yet again by launching boats from several different points at the same time.

The source said this type of coordinated surge had not been seen in the Channel for some time. By sending many boats out simultaneously from different beaches and ports, the gangs were trying to stretch French police resources and increase the chances that more boats would successfully leave the shore.

The latest tactic follows another new route that was tested just a day earlier. Smugglers launched a small boat from the port of Fécamp, around 40 miles south of Dieppe. That boat was carrying just 26 people and was reportedly seen as a trial run to test whether the longer route could be used more regularly in the future.

The vessel was intercepted by the Eastbourne RNLI lifeboat along with three UK Border Force vessels. Those on board were taken to the migrant processing centre at Dover Harbour after being brought safely across.

The maritime security source said organised criminal gangs are constantly changing their methods in an effort to stay one step ahead of French police. Every time enforcement increases in one area, the gangs simply look for another launch point or develop a different strategy.

The source also argued that despite the millions of pounds provided by the UK Government to help France strengthen patrols along its coastline, officers cannot cover every beach or launch site at the same time. According to the source, today’s events show that the smugglers were able to exploit those gaps, with hundreds already making the journey and more boats still attempting to reach Britain.

If everyone who was attempting the crossing this morning successfully reaches the UK, the total number of people arriving by small boat since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister would rise to more than 1,600.

The total number of people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from France so far this year has now passed 14,000, with the crossings continuing despite increased patrols, new enforcement measures and ongoing cooperation between the UK and French authorities to disrupt people-smuggling networks.