- Prime MinisterAndy BurnhamtohostFrench President Emmanuel
Macron in Downing Street today to discuss shared challenges,
including small boatscrossings
- New French surge teamsdeployed to tackle Western launches and
mega dinghies' as UK-France partnership supported by nearly 1050
French officershelps deliver lowest summer for arrivals
since2020
- Leaders are also expected to discuss how Europe can step up
support for Ukraine going into the winter, drive forward efforts
to open the Strait of Hormuz and deepen UK-EU relations
The Prime Minister will host President MacroninDowning Street
today to discuss shared challenges facing both
countries,includingtacklingsmall boats crossings,strengthening
European defence and boostingbothnations' economies.
This summer, the UK saw the lowest number of small
boat arrivals since 2020.
But despitetherecent success, thePrime Minister is clear that
thegovernment will not stop bearing down on the criminal
gangsfacilitatingthe dangerous crossings.
In a move to bolster French policing and tackle the emerging use
of mega dinghies', the UK and France are deploying
additionalofficers, including:
- In the coming weeks, a surge team of 45 officers is
being deployed to Western beaches in Franceto tacklelaunches from
further along the coast and new mega dinghy'
launches, nearly tripling French resource in the area
- A specialist French intelligence and judicial unit has
expanded from 18 to 30 officers, helping toidentify,disruptand
prosecute people-smuggling networks
- Anew specialist unit of 75 officers dedicated to tackling
small boat crossings is now active in Northern France, taking the
total number of officers to nearly 1050
This follows the deployment of a specialist public order unit
earlier this summer, with 50 police officers specially trained in
the use of crowd control tactics and equipment to deal with
hostile crowds and violent tactics.
Prime Minister Andy said:
"The progress we have seen this summer shows what can be achieved
when the UK and France work together.
"But I am clear that we cannot be complacent. Smuggling gangs are
constantly adapting theirtactics,andthe UK and Franceneed to
respond quickly and stay one step aheadof the
criminalsfacilitatingthedangerous crossings.
"The small boats crisis is a shared Europeanchallenge,and no
country can solve it alone. Working with France and our
international partners, we will restore order and control to our
borders and prevent smugglers exploiting vulnerable migrants.
Home Secretary said:
We are boosting officer numbers to record highs to crack down on
small boat launches and the gangs behind them.
This work is bearing fruit. Over 48,000 crossing attempts have
been prevented, small boat crossing numbers are down and removals
of those here illegally are at record levels.
But we are not complacent and we must be relentless. We will
continue efforts on all fronts to tackle these illegal and
dangerous crossings.
As well as stopping small boatcrossings,the Prime Minister will
raise other challenges the two nations and European allies face.
Ukraine is expected to be high up the agenda, following the Prime
Minister's visit last week and thetwo leadersco-chairingtheir
firstCoalitionofthe Willing meeting together.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring stability in the
Middle East is also expected tofeature indiscussions.
The PrimeMinisterisalsoexpected to set out howworking with Europe
is key toboosting the Britisheconomy. Heis expected tocontinue
topushfor greatercooperation with Europe to support British
businesses anddrive growth in every postcodein the UK.
