Britons holidaying in French resorts are facing a new challenge as people-smugglers have shifted their operations away from Calais. These criminal gangs are now using coastal towns like Hardelot-Plage and other beaches with fewer law enforcement officers to transport migrants to the UK.
Last week, approximately 700 migrants successfully crossed into the UK from Hardelot-Plage and nearby beaches in a single day, according to reports. This relocation follows increased police checks in Calais.
New UK-France Deal Complicates Patrols
Complicating efforts to manage the crossings is a new agreement between the UK and France, worth £660 million over three years, aimed at patrolling beaches. However, new rules stipulated under this deal limit French police intervention. Gendarmes are reportedly only allowed to intercept migrant boats carrying fewer than 20 people. This measure was implemented to reduce the number of rescues needed during dangerous crossings. Additionally, French officers are prevented from intervening before migrants enter the sea, as they are not legally permitted to wait on the beach.
Migrant Arrival Numbers
Since Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office on July 20, over 2,000 migrants have arrived on UK shores in small boats. On one recent Saturday, 326 migrants arrived in four boats, bringing the total to 2,057 since Burnham became Prime Minister. Last Wednesday was the busiest day for small boat crossings this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK.
Prime Minister Burnham stated that the government's plan to curb Channel crossings is showing progress, with numbers down year-on-year. He acknowledged, however, that more work needs to be done. Data indicates that between July 20 and August 2 of this year, there were 2,057 crossings. In the same period in 2025, there were 1,962 crossings.
Burnham expressed confidence in Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's measures, stating they have begun to yield results. He noted that while this is the peak season for crossings, the overall number of arrivals is down, and removals are up.
Despite the recent increase in crossings compared to last year's figures during the same period, the overall total for the year remains significantly lower. This year, 14,526 migrants have arrived by small boats by the same date, a 43% decrease compared to 25,436 arrivals by the same point in 2025. The figure is also 14% lower than the 16,903 arrivals recorded in 2024 for the corresponding period. The Home Office attributes fluctuations in small boat crossings to weather patterns, with peaks typically occurring during warmer summer months.