Nearly 4,000 migrants waiting in French camps to cross Channel

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 14:58 · Archive

Almost 3,800 migrants are waiting in camps in northern France to attempt crossing to Britain by small boat, double the usual number.

Almost 3,800 migrants are currently in camps between Dunkirk and Calais in northern France waiting to cross the Channel to Britain by small boat, according to Duncan Capps, the Home Office's Border Security Commander. This is roughly double the usual number of around 2,000 that French authorities typically estimate.

Capps told the Commons' Home Affairs select committee that migrants make approximately six to eight attempts on average before they successfully cross. He said the high numbers in the camps reflect French efforts to make crossing difficult, particularly in the Dunkirk-Calais area. Most of those waiting are single men, predominantly from Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Afghanistan.

The Independent reports that the number of boat launches from French beaches has dropped significantly owing to increased police patrols, prompting smugglers to use larger dinghies and attempt launches from locations further along the coast and from Belgium. Capps warned MPs that it is only a matter of time until there is a mass casualty event in the Channel, noting the increasing size of boats and their occupancy. He cited one boat this year that carried 230 people as evidence of the danger.

How it is being reported

• Only a matter of time until mass casualty event in Channel, border chief warnsMajor General Duncan Capps, the Home Office ’s border security commander, said there are now almost 3,800 people in French camps waiting to make the Channel crossingThe Independent · 21 Oct, 14:40
• Nearly 4,000 migrants waiting to cross to Britain - double the normal amount -warns border security commanderThe Home Office's Border Security Commander Duncan Capps said French authorities estimate there are 3,800 people in camps between Calais and Dover.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 13:18

In this story: Duncan Capps · Home Office · France · Calais · Dunkirk · Belgium · Britain

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