Migrant small boats cross The Channel on record breaking day
Emmanuel Macron is failing to stop a large number of small boats carrying illegal migrants bound for the UK due to fears of legal action against French police.
UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick urged the president of France to follow in the footsteps of Belgium, with its "decisive" action which has resulted in almost all the attempted English Channel crossings from its shores being stopped in their tracks.
French police, however, are known for failing to intervene when they spot vessels carrying migrants in their waters unless those aboard are in distress and believed likely to cooperate.
The patrol ships are thought to go as far as safely escorting migrants to British waters because of a notice issued by France's Departmental Board of the National Police in August last year.
This regulation, which effectively bans officers from taking action against boats already in the water, was issued in light of a complaint filed by human rights campaign group Utopia 56.
UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick urged the president of France to follow in the footsteps of Belgium, with its "decisive" action which has resulted in almost all the attempted English Channel crossings from its shores being stopped in their tracks.
French police, however, are known for failing to intervene when they spot vessels carrying migrants in their waters unless those aboard are in distress and believed likely to cooperate.
The patrol ships are thought to go as far as safely escorting migrants to British waters because of a notice issued by France's Departmental Board of the National Police in August last year.
This regulation, which effectively bans officers from taking action against boats already in the water, was issued in light of a complaint filed by human rights campaign group Utopia 56.
READ MORE: Port of Dover's drastic plans to cut huge delays as EU introduces new rules
Emmanuel Macron is France's President (Image: GETTY)
The association accused French police of endangering human life, saying that in June 2022 officers had slashed an overloaded dinghy just heading out towards Britain to stop it from leaving.
Fears of legal action are believed to have left Paris terrified of intercepting migrants once they have already left France's coasts.
Police presence, France believes, may increase the risk small boats will capsize by attempting to swerve the authorities.
The number of migrant boats prevented from crossing the Channel by France diminished when compared to last year's data, going from 45.8 percent to 45.2 percent, according to Conservative MP Tim Loughton.
Don't miss...
France to pay farmers €200 million to turn wine into hand sanitiser and perfume [INSIGHT]
Ex-Border Force boss 'optimistic' UK can 'stem' small boats but slams the French [REPORT]
Suella Braverman accuses European judges of playing politics [REPORT]
On September 2, 872 people crossed the Channel aboard 15 vessels (Image: GETTY)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
The member of the Home Affairs Select Committee noted Belgium is instead stopping 90 percent of all the attempted crossings from its shores.
This comes only three days after UK officials spotted a record number of people crossing the Channel in small boats.
On September 2, an astonishing 872 people crossed the busy Channel aboard 15 vessels, Home Office figures show, bringing the total of arrivals in 2023 to over 20,900.
Trending
The previous highest daily total had been recorded only weeks prior, on August 10, when 756 illegal migrants were spotted in the Channel aboard precarious dinghies.
In August, the UK also marked another unwelcomed milestone, as it was confirmed 100,000 people had managed to cross the Channel since records began in 2018.
The balmy weather currently experienced in the UK, alongside the flat seas and calm winds normally seen in the Channel between September and October will likely push more migrants to attempt the dangerous crossing in the days and weeks to come.
Related articles New boat crossings 2023 'record' as 800 migrants reportedly arrive in one day Albanian gangs exposed as running small boat Channel racket from UK soil