Smugglers Adapt Tactics Amidst Increased Police Enforcement in France

The intensified approach from French law enforcement has led to a shift in tactics by human traffickers, who are reportedly modifying their operations to evade detection. Recently, smugglers were seen driving a Volvo estate onto a beach in northern France, placing a dinghy on the roof before launching it into the sea. They then abandoned the vehicle on the shore as they adapted to the increased vigilance of the police, highlighting a continued evolution in smuggling methods.

Initially, traffickers had relied on a "taxi boat" method, where they would use inland waterways to evade police patrols. This approach allowed them to inflate their boats close to the shore and pick up migrants waiting nearby. However, the deployment of radar technology by the UK, aimed at detecting hidden vessels, forced smugglers to rethink their strategies. Recent agreements between the UK and France have resulted in a marked increase in interceptions, with officers reportedly stopping about two-thirds of attempted crossings in France. This pressure has prompted traffickers to revert to alternate tactics yet again.

This year, the numbers of individuals successfully reaching the UK by small boats have surged, reaching over 16,500, representing a 45% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. Additionally, makeshift camps in France have become increasingly disorganized, with a shortage of dinghies contributing to unrest among migrants. In a recent incident at Gravelines beach near Calais, numerous migrants gathered in a frantic attempt to board a single dinghy amid the presence of French police, who observed the chaos unfold while some individuals even waded into the dangerous waters of the Channel despite being met with tear gas.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent meeting between UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in Canada. Starmer indicated that nations not effectively managing irregular migration could face stricter immigration policies from the UK. Plans are underway for a July summit between the UK and France to discuss long-term strategies for addressing the migrant crisis, with government officials recognizing that quick fixes are unlikely, but asserting that the UK's vulnerability to smuggling networks is a thing of the past.