French Tactics Praised by Yvette Cooper to Curb Channel Crossings

Yvette Cooper praised new tactics used by the French to reduce the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats before Emmanuel Macron's visit to the UK this week. A French review on police intervention to block boats in the water has been completed, with talks ongoing between French and British officials.

French police deviated from their usual practice and punctured a boat near Boulogne on Friday. If the legal review allows, French patrol boats may intercept boats carrying asylum seekers or use tactics like jetskis with nets to catch propellers.

Macron's state visit includes discussions with Keir Starmer, with potential new cooperative measures on small boats. Cooper emphasized the importance of working with the French to prevent boat crossings.

A 'one in, one out' plan is being considered, where those reaching England by boat could be sent back to France in exchange for the UK accepting another asylum seeker with a clearer right to claim asylum.

Political pressure persists on Starmer and Cooper to reduce Channel crossings, with over 20,000 people crossing to the UK in the first half of this year despite government efforts to combat smuggling gangs.

According to the source: The Guardian.