Mayors in northern France have called on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to visit Calais and witness firsthand the impact of small boat crossings on the region. Stéphane Pinto, the mayor of Ambleteuse, stressed that cooperation between the UK and France is essential to addressing the crisis.
The plea comes amid a surge in migrant crossings, with Home Office figures revealing that 36,816 people crossed the Channel in small boats in 2024—an increase from 29,437 in 2023 but still below the record 45,774 in 2022. Just last Sunday, 592 migrants made the journey in 11 boats, marking the highest single-day total for March. French authorities also rescued 24 individuals, including one in critical condition.
Despite efforts to curb crossings, last year was the deadliest on record, with at least 78 migrants losing their lives while attempting the journey. Pinto urged Starmer to visit the beaches, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent further tragedies.
The BBC visited a migrant camp in Calais, where hundreds are sheltering in an abandoned wine warehouse without proper sanitation. Many, like Zinki from Sudan, remain determined to reach the UK despite the dangers. “I’ve faced persecution at home. For us, England works. The language is easier, and some have family there,” he said. Akan, an Iranian migrant in Dunkirk, recounted a near-death experience when his boat began sinking, leaving him stranded in the water for 30 minutes before being rescued.
Calais MP Marc De Fleurian dismissed the idea of joint patrols with British police, arguing that it would weaken French sovereignty. Meanwhile, charities like Care4Calais continue to advocate for safer migration routes. “People aren’t coming here for shoes or sleeping bags—we need real solutions,” said Emily Featherstone from the organization.
The UK Home Office has ramped up measures to combat smuggling networks, redirecting over £7 million toward stronger law enforcement. However, Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle admitted that one of the biggest deterrents remains the deadly risk of crossing the Channel. As migration numbers continue to rise, the call for more humanitarian solutions grows louder.