People smugglers are still profiting from small boats. Can the UK fix the crisis?

Despite the UK government’s efforts to curb illegal Channel crossings, asylum seekers continue to attempt dangerous sea voyages with the help of determined smugglers. On a beach near Boulogne-sur-Mer, a group of around 30 refugees watched as a smuggler swiftly assembled a hidden dinghy, demonstrating the adaptability of those facilitating the crossings. Even with aggressive French police tactics and hostile receptions, the financial incentives for smugglers—backed by desperate asylum seekers willing to pay—keep operations running. The persistence of smugglers, who reportedly have multiple contingency plans, suggests the challenge of stopping these crossings remains significant.

As ‘one in, one out’ scheme ends, refugees still want to cross the Channel despite French police aggression and hostile welcomesThe smuggler works quickly. Using a small shovel, he digs up a dinghy buried in a sand dune on a beach not far from Boulogne-sur-Mer, assembles it and affixes a motor in record time.“I never saw anyone work like this,” says Amad, from Iraq, one of a group of about 30 asylum seekers waiting to cross the Channel. “The UK government wants to stop the smugglers, but they are smart. They have plan A, plan B and plan C, so there is always a way for them to get people across this sea. For as long as asylum seekers will pay them, there is too much money involved for them to give up.” Continue reading...