Migrant Channel boat crossings will soar during Olympics as Calais police are diverted to Paris, ministers fear

Ministers fear Channel crossings will skyrocket during this summer’s Olympics in Paris, as French border police are diverted to the capital.

The UK currently pays nearly £500million a year to France for its help culling smuggling gangs before they are able to send people across the Channel.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has pressed French President Emmanuel Macron’s government to keep a sizeable unit of officers on the beaches around Calais. 

In return, Mr Cleverly has pledged assistance from UK security services to help prevent threats during the Olympic games in July and August, The Sun reports.

He is said to have been encouraged by the response from his French counterpart Gérald Darmanin about retaining a force on the beaches.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has pressed French President Emmanuel Macron ‘s government to keep a sizeable unit of officers on the beaches around Calais

A source close to the Home Secretary said: ‘We are as determined as France that they have a successful and safe Olympics and know they have thought carefully and professionally about how to achieve this.

‘We have discussed this and were encouraged by their willingness to achieve both that aim and a maintenance of the effective work they have been doing to help us stop the boats.’

Ministers are said to remain concerned about French police leaving Normandy’s beaches during the Olympics, as 15 million visitors descend upon Paris. 

The timing of the games comes during the typical peak of Channel crossings, as summer weather makes the journey less treacherous.

Other worries have arisen over the number of fights breaking out on French shores, with fears security is deteriorating – as gangs cram migrants into unsuitable boats and dinghies.  

After weeks of poor conditions in the strait during the first two months of 2024, people smugglers are taking advantage of calmer weather with 728 migrants intercepted in the 21-mile wide Dover Strait on March 2 and 3 alone.

Border Force boats Typhoon, Ranger and Hurricane have all been seen in the English Channel during the morning.

Home Office official figures reveal 2,983 asylum seekers have arrived aboard 63 boats since January 1.

A total of 401 migrants crossed the Channel on Monday – the largest daily total of 2024 so far.

The number of migrants reaching the UK this year so far is now expected to have topped 3,000 

The migrant boat is seen crossing the Channel, with traffickers taking advantage of the calm seas to make the trip 

Many migrants on this dinghy appear to be male – with some dangling on the side of the boat seen to be getting their feet drenched 

Another migrant craft is seen sailing past a ship in the Channel on Wednesday 

In the distance, a large cargo ship can be seen as the small boat makes its way to the England from France 

As well as perching themselves on the side of the small craft, some migrants were forced to sit on the floor of the vessel 

Four migrants died while trying to make the dangerous crossing from Calais to Dover last week, including a seven-year-old girl who died near Watten, northern France.

The girl died 20 miles inland while trying her family were attempted to use a canal to reach the coast undetected on Sunday. 

Three others died after falling into the water off the coast of Cap Gris Nez on February 28.

An investigation by prosecutors in Boulogne-sur-Mer is ongoing.

Last year, 29,437 migrants aboard 601 boats were intercepted in the Channel – the second-highest annual total.