Channel people traffickers do not wish our country well we MUST stop them once and for all

Tragedy hit the Channel again this week when a migrant family perished at sea.

Authorities patrol the waters

Authorities patrol the waters (Image: GETTY)

The news reports set out a sadly familiar tale – of an adult who gave up a job, sold a house and paid criminal gangs over £20,000 for him and his family to enter Britain through an illegal route because he wanted to live in the UK. But he and his family were already safe in France and being looked after. France had reportedly provided hotel accommodation to the family so that they were not in one of the ramshackle tents that litter Northern France over the cold winter months.

People traffickers have no regard for life, young or old.

This is a journey that should never have been made.

The UK is one of the most generous countries in our global response to genuine refugees.

As well as millions of pounds spent on camps, re-building and other support in trouble spots around the world, there are already established safe, legal, routes for coming to the UK.

Migrants have been picked up multiple times

Migrants have been picked up multiple times (Image: GETTY)

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On the Dover frontline migrants in overcrowded dinghies arrive in their thousands.

More than 7,000 this year alone.

Greater numbers are reportedly stopped on the French side.

But every year, the numbers arriving increase too. This is not inevitable.

Over four years ago there were only a handful of such boats on this dangerous route.


A photo from earlier in the year

A photo from earlier in the year (Image: GETTY)

So in addition to stopping the boats leaving France in the first place, a different approach is needed.

First, where illegal entry is a crime it needs to be treated as such.

Secondly, small boats in the Channel should be turned back to France.

Thirdly, illegal entrants should be swiftly returned to other countries.

A photo of migrants being processed

A photo of migrants being processed (Image: GETTY)

This isn’t just about tackling economic migration, it is also basic national security.

These are routes organised by criminal gangs, many of which are involved in guns, drugs and modern slavery.

People who do not wish our country well.

We should not tolerate people breaking into Britain or accept the inevitability of this criminal trade plied on our English Channel.

Before there is any more loss of life, we must put an end to the small boat crossings, once and for all.

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