Policy paper

UK-France joint action plan on illegal migration across the Channel

The Home Secretary and the French Interior Minister have agreed a joint action plan to prevent migrants attempting to cross the English Channel illegally in small boats.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Documents

UK-France joint action plan on illegal migration across the Channel in small boats

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Addendum to the joint action plan by the United Kingdom and France on combatting illegal migration involving small boats in the English Channel

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Details

This document explains the actions that the UK and French authorities will take, on land and at sea, to stop the trend of illegal migrants seeking to cross the Channel in small boats.

An addendum has been added to supplement the original plan, it outline 3 further actions:

(1) Increasing interceptions through enhanced operational cooperation - namely through (a) deploying additional Gendarmerie reservists to prevent boats from leaving the France, and (b) a Joint Conference between UK and France operational partners to in October, which will agree specific deliverables.

(2) Tackling criminal gangs through strengthened intelligence collaboration, through deploying additional intelligence sources in France.

(3) Changing migrant behaviour through direct engagement and deterrence, through the deployment of joint debriefing teams in France and cooperation to deter repeated attempts at crossing.

The Joint Conference as referred to under point (1) above took place in Lille from 30th September to 1st October.

Updates to this page

Published 24 January 2019
Last updated 15 October 2019 + show all updates
  1. Added an addendum to accompany the original plan.

  2. First published.

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