LONDON, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of unaccompanied young migrants crossing the Channel from France to Britain has spiked during the coronavirus outbreak, as travel restrictions force them onto boats rather than trucks.
Kent County Council in southeast England, which includes the major port of Dover, was dealing with “230 to 250” young migrants a year ago, its chief executive, Roger Gough, said.
“But that number has pretty much doubled. It’s now nearly 470 and new arrivals are coming in all the time,” he said.
Channel crossing attempts have increased since the end of 2018, despite the danger of heavy maritime traffic, strong currents and low water temperatures.
In 2019, 2,758 migrants were rescued by the French and British authorities while trying to cross the strait – four times more than in 2018, according to French officials.
The coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the trend, with the reduced number of trucks going through the Channel Tunnel leading migrants to make the crossing in small boats instead.
Francois Guennoc, vice-president of the Auberge des Migrants aid group in Calais, said the vast majority of foreign nationals seeking refuge in the region were male, aged 16 to 30.
At least 1,000 migrants have arrived in Britain by small boats since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced virus lockdown measures on Mar 23.
At least 145 arrived on May 8, it added. Of those, 17 were unaccompanied minors. Another three arrived the same weekend, said Gough. Most were Iranians, Iraqis and Afghans.
The police made 418 arrests for immigration offences last year, and 111 smugglers received prison sentences.
More than 10 smugglers have been convicted and imprisoned since the beginning of the year.
Britain is working with France to send back more migrants who arrive by boat in an attempt to deter those thinking of making the dangerous journey.
In the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France, police have recorded 230 attempted crossings this year – 128 of which were intercepted by the French border force, and 102 by their British counterparts.
April was the busiest month, with French officials intercepting 38 attempted crossings. British authorities stopped 41, it added. — NNN-AGENCIES
