The recent attempts by migrants to cross the English Channel into Britain is to be treated as a major incident, the UK’s Home Secretary Sajid Javid said.
Javid said he has taken control of the response to the rising numbers of migrants crossing the sea in small boats.
He asked for an urgent call with his French counterpart to “reaffirm” the continuing need for the UK and France to work closely in tackling the problem.
The country’s border authority connected the crossing attempts with organised criminal gangs.
“Sajid Javid has intervened to ensure everything possible is being done to disrupt and prosecute organised people smuggling gangs and deter migrants from attempting the dangerous crossing, amid concern that it is only a matter of time before people lose their lives,” a Home Office spokesperson said.
At least 70 people have been intercepted since Christmas Day as they tried to cross one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
“The number of incidents over recent days is deeply concerning. Some of this is clearly facilitated by organised crime groups while other attempts appear to be opportunistic,” Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said.
For more read the full of article at The Euronews
