‘MAJOR INCIDENT’ declared in English Channel: Migrant crisis out of control, admits Javid
SAJID Javid has declared the rising number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel a “major incident” and has asked for an urgent meeting with French ministers.
By TOM NELLIST
Express.co.uk
Fri, Dec 28, 2018
Home Office officials said Mr Javid had “taken control of the response to the rising number of migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats”. It added there was “concern that it is only a matter of time before people lose their lives”. Home Secretary Mr Javid has held a conference call with Border Force officials, Immigration Enforcement and the National Crime Agency.
Around 100 suspected migrants are believed to have attempted the crossing since Christmas Eve with a further 100 arriving since November.
Calm waters and milder than average winter temperatures are thought to be behind the spike in migrants believing a safe crossing is possible.
The department said: “He has insisted the Home Office treat the situation as a major incident and has appointed a Gold Commander and asked for daily updates.
“The Home Secretary has also asked for an urgent call with his French counterpart over the weekend to reaffirm the continuing need for the UK and France to work closely together to tackle the problem.
He has also commissioned detailed options from Border Force about the provision of additional vessels in the Channel, including another Border Force cutter, and whether this is likely to encourage more people to try and make the crossing rather than act as a deterrence.”
Mr Javid will speak with French interior minister Christopher Castaner over the weekend to ensure France steps up their commitments to tackling the growing problem of migrants trying to get into Britain.
Earlier today, two boats carrying 12 men from Syria and Iran were intercepted in separate incidents by border patrol forces as they tried to cross from France.
At about 3am, an inflatable boat containing one man from Syria and three Iranians was spotted and reported to the Coastguard.
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