France to 'demand more cash' from Britain to patrol their OWN beaches in bid to thwart migrant crossings
WATCH: Nigel Farage's fumes at the number of migrants living in social housing
GB News
France is preparing to “demand more cash” from Britain to patrol their own beaches in a bid to thwart the number of migrant crossings.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau informed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper that almost a third of illegal migrants who have arrived in Europe are trying to enter Britain.
Retailleau is keen to establish a new police station in Calais to increase the number of their patrols, after he warned Cooper that the issue of illegal migration was “worsening” in the port cities of Calais and Dunkirk.
Additionally, he is considering a “compensation fund” to foot the bill for damage caused by migrants attempting to make the perilous journey across the Channel to British shores.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper poses with France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau (left) at a Calais Group meeting earlier this month
PA
Regarding these alleged demands, Retailleau said: “It is not right that individuals and businesses should have to finance repairs.”
While French sources have not ruled out that the minister has made the demand, the UK’s Home Office has suggested that no such requests have been put forward in either a formal or informal setting.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "It's shocking that Labour are giving a handout to the French police when police forces have raised concerns about a cut to the police funding settlement. Labour should be giving our police the funding they need to keep us safe.
“I call on the French authorities to intercept small boats at sea near the coast and return them, as the Belgians safely do.
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"This has cut illegal migration through Belgium by over 90 per cent and it has been done safely.
"If the French adopted the same tactic they could end these dangerous crossings that have led to over 50 deaths in recent months."
Referring to Retailleau's London meeting, the French interior ministry said: “He had the opportunity to talk to his British counterpart about the necessary increase in cooperation amid the worsening situation along the coast.
“The Interior Minister shared with his British counterpart his strong belief that the issue of combating migrant trafficking requires a strengthened bilateral and European response, given that this migration route accounts for 30% of illegal arrivals on European soil.”
Last year, the UK agreed that it would hand France over £500million to support their law enforcement operations to “stop the boats” departing from France (Stock)
PA
Last year, the UK agreed that it would hand France over £500million to support their law enforcement operations to “stop the boats” departing from France.
So far this year, over 35,000 migrants have made the risky journey across the Channel in small boats.
This figure has risen significantly since Labour grasped a majority in the House of Commons, rising by about 21,446.
Consequently, it has been estimated that around 128 migrants per day have crossed over in 377 boats - each holding an average of almost 60 people.
This number contrasts with life preceding the General Election when an average of 74 migrants crossed the Channel each day.
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