More attempts at longer migrant small boat crossings in Channel
Migrant smugglers are increasingly launching small boats from locations further west and south along the French coast to avoid detection. Despite a drop in overall crossings, authorities report that the geographic range of smuggling operations is expanding.
Why it matters
The shift in smuggling routes complicates border enforcement efforts and increases the risks faced by migrants due to longer, more dangerous sea journeys.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Smugglers have launched small boats from beaches much further from Calais and Dunkirk
A growing number of migrants are trying to cross the Channel on small boats using longer routes from beaches further south and west of Calais and Dunkirk, French authorities say.
Last week one boat set off from Normandy and spent more than 30 hours at sea , before being intercepted and taken to Dover by Border Force.
Although attempts from Normandy have been rare, authorities in neighbouring Seine-Maritime say there have already been 58 attempts this year, up from 30 last year.
The government says it is bearing down on dangerous small boat crossings, with figures showing a sharp drop in arrivals this year .
Despite overall crossings dropping , the stretch of coastline used for smuggling appears to be widening.
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