France and Britain Sign £662 Million Deal to Increase Channel Patrols

Britain and France have agreed on a new £662 million package to increase enforcement along the northern French coast. The deal funds at least 50 riot-trained officers and improved security infrastructure at departure points. French officials said the money will secure specific beach sectors but will not address the broader issue.

Alain Boonefaes, deputy mayor in charge of security in Gravelines, told La Voix Du Nord that the funds will simply move activity to other areas.

Boonefaes added that the crossings require a global solution and that France has no immediate fix. A second local official described himself as disillusioned and said there is no political treatment of the problem.

Philp said the agreement hands over half a billion pounds without performance conditions. He noted that French authorities stopped barely a third of embarkation attempts last year and that crossings have risen 45 percent since the election. A Dover-based fisherman said French naval vessels have escorted migrants toward Britain and that stronger deterrence is needed.

A Home Office spokesman stated the government is increasing enforcement and has already stopped over 42,000 attempts since the election.