France slammed for handing lifejackets to Channel migrants as secret plans revealed

The French are giving Channel migrants lifejackets because the small boats crisis is getting worse, a fisherman has claimed.

Matt Coker, a deep-sea angler, said London and Paris have "admitted they can't stop it" and are trying to make crossings safer.

More than 7,200 migrants have crossed the Channel this year - a record number for the first 3 months.

And Mr Coker - who has witnessed scores of crossings - said the French navy are "escorting" small boats "through the shipping lane to give them a safe passage".

He said the crisis has got worse "in the last six months", adding that smugglers are launching "lots of boats all at the same time... on every possible day".

Revealing how he heard British and French officials discussing handing out lifejackets over the radio, Mr Coker said: "The French, they're giving them lifejackets now because so many of them are not getting in the boats with lifejackets. I suppose...they're trying to avoid another tragedy.

"And they'll give them lifejackets if they haven't got life jackets. And then they ask for the lifejackets back off the British once they've picked them up and the transfer has been made."

He added to Times Radio: "The French are actually escorting them through the shipping lane to give them a safe passage. And they're only making half the journey now.

"So ... I suppose it is safer, but it almost seems to me like it might be encouraging the problem as well.

"It's safer for you to cross the Channel now than it's ever been because you'll have an escort from when you leave the beach and you'll be given safe passage and you'll only have to make half the journey because the UK Border Force will be waiting on the border to pick you up, rather than waiting well within UK waters.

"The people smugglers can quite honestly say to the people they are smuggling, it is safer for you to cross the Channel now than it ever has been because you will have an escort from when you leave the beach and you'll only have to make half the journey because the UK Border Force will be waiting on the border to pick you up.

"In the last six months, it seems to have gone back to what it was two or three years ago, which is, I mean, there seems to be lots of boats all at the same time coming on every possible day, whereas before that, it did seem to... It slowed up to just a few boats a day and it was only when the weather was perfect, you know.

"Whereas now they seem to be leaving the beaches, I suppose, you know, more often.

"It's almost as if they have admitted they can't stop it. So they are going to make it as safe and controlled as possible, which I do think is encouraging the problem."

At least 78 migrants died attempting to cross the English Channel last year, the National Crime Agency said. Charities believe 79 people lost their lives.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "The French authorities should not be actively facilitating illegal immigrants to cross the Channel.

"It's a clear breach of their international law obligations. The UK government should urgently raise this with the French.

"The French should be intercepting illegal immigrants on the beaches, and if they do get to sea, intercepting the boats near the shore and returning them to France.

"Doing that would quickly stop these crossings. In the absence of action by the French, the only thing that will stop these illegal crossings is a removal deterrent - but our weak prime minister Keir Starmer cancelled the Rwanda deterrent before it even started."

The French Government's position on Channel crossings has shifted significantly over the past few months, following years of criticism.

French interior minister Bruno Retailleau admitted sending migrants back across the Channel could end the small boats crisis.

Mr Retailleau said returning asylum seekers to France would "send a clear message" that could act as a deterrent to those considering risking their lives.

French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted Britain must strike a returns deal with the EU - something the Government has so far refused to do.

Mr Retailleau said: "I do think that there must be an agreement that we can come to, a bilateral agreement between governments.

"Because we see many of those who land on British soil don't come back. Even when one has crossed the Channel, if one is sent back that will send a clear message."

French police could start intercepting Channel migrant boats at the end of May, Home Office insiders believe.

Sources believe this will begin when a new specialist policing unit trained in tackling public disorder starts patrolling the coastline.

Mr Retailleau added: "We have to deal with the crossings.

"Up until now, we considered it to be a French doctrine that we would save people on the seas - but that we would take no risk whatsoever.

"So we would accompany the people on the boats.

"I've seen a number of videos where the taxi boats come close to the coast to pick up the migrants in water that's not very deep, and I think that our gendarmes cannot intervene.

"We need to change that doctrine of intervention."

But Mr Coker warned the Channel migrant crisis is now "very well organised".

He told Times Radio: "It seems to be getting busier.

"When it first started, they would leave in the dark. They'd try to avoid being seen. They'd come through both shipping lanes and then try and reach the UK coast."

Describing the dangers, Mr Coker added: "They narrowly miss ships. Sometimes, I've held my breath as they go past. The ships miss them by hundreds of metres and just the wash from the ship is enough to roll them over.

New documents have revealed a number of previously secret Border Force plans to turn migrant dinghies around in the middle of the Channel.

The document stated: "The ride-off manoeuvre should be initially conducted by one BF vessel, with others in support to provide a dominant presence, more comprehensive observations of the impact of delivering the ride-off tactic and casualty rescue.

"Having decided to engage, the coxswain slowly manoeuvres the BF vessel towards the subject vessel closing the gap and briefly holds off the subject vessel a metre away.

"When the BF vessel has settled, the shoulder of the vessel is gently lent against the side of the subject vessel in a safe position.

"This is often most effective in a location further forward towards the bow of the subject vessel (on the shoulder) than the normal position adopted for a cross decking operation.

"By gently increasing power and turning inwards, the BF coxswain can physically guide the subject vessel to alter course."