French mayors demand end to UK border checks as Channel crossings rise
Northern France local leaders want to cancel a long-standing border deal with Britain due to rising migrant numbers. UK-France agreement faces new pressure as Channel crossings reach record-high numbers
Northern Frances mayors are pushing-back against a two-decade old border arrangement with Britain. The deal which lets UK officers check documents in Calais doesnt work anymore they say
Local leaders point to Britains weak control of illegal work and its asylum rules as main problems. Sony Clinquart from Grand-Fort-Philippe thinks its all fake: we talk about borders but British just let everyone in who gets there
The agreement (signed way back in 03) lets British staff work on French ground; however things got worse lately. Even after UK gave half-a-billion pounds to help French beach patrols migrant numbers went up by 20% compared to last year
Weʼre in the midst of hypocrisy. The situation is urgent‚ itʼs been going on for too long
Guy Allemand of Sangatte points to failed solutions: British-paid cameras dont work and money isnt fixing anything. While Natacha Bouchart Calaisʼs mayor just says: weʼve got to get to grips with the British
The mayors want some real changes:
- New immigration official position
- Special transport police
- Migrant centers away from coast
- More money for local needs
Labour partyʼs Home Secretary shows some progress: they did 20% more checks since summer and sent home about 10k people who shouldnt be in UK. Home Office says border controls help millions travel safe between countries but small boats are different - its about catching bad guys who dont care if people live or die
