The UK's border security commander, Martin Hewitt, has expressed frustration that French authorities have failed to implement tactics to puncture and disable boats used by asylum seekers in shallow waters. Appearing before the Commons home affairs select committee, Hewitt cited political instability in France as a factor delaying the rollout of more interventionist measures.
In June, the French cabinet pledged to reinterpret maritime law to allow police to intercept migrant boats within 300 metres of the coast—a move hailed as a potential 'gamechanger' by UK insiders. However, French police have since refused to act without assurances of legal protection, proper training, and equipment. Hewitt noted he had met with a senior French official three weeks ago to press the issue, but remained frustrated by the lack of progress.
The comments come as Channel crossings have exceeded 32,000 so far this year. Hewitt also highlighted a shift in migrant origins, with many coming from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia. He described a 'horrific' period last winter when deaths surged, partly due to migrants storming boats without paying smugglers. The International Organisation for Migration reported at least 82 fatalities in the Channel in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record.
Committee chair Karen Bradley noted that only 12 officials are working on the government's 'one in, one out' deal to detain and return Channel claimants to France, compared to over 1,000 on the previous Rwanda scheme. Hewitt responded that the new deal involves broader enforcement efforts and warned that dismantling smuggling gangs would take time, rejecting the idea of a quick fix.
