Federal and local police on the Flemish west coast are calling for extra vigilance amid growing concerns about people-traffickers using small boats on our beaches. On Tuesday, over 500 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Englsih Channel from northern France. Police here fear more attempts will now be launched from the Flemish coast as a result of the fine weather.
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Police warn of migrants trying to cross the Channel, drone camera in operation
Colin Clapson
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On Tuesday, another 526 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel from northern France according to the latest figures from the UK Home Office. Crossings are mostly made from northern France because the distance to the UK is shortest there, but attempts from Belgium are also possible.
According to preliminary figures 19,820 migrants have already arrived in the UK this year. The figure is similar to that of last year and 21 per cent lower than in 2022.
Appeal to report all suspicious movements
‘Since the weather is fine and also because it is the end of the summer holidays and winter is approaching, there is a much higher risk that large groups will attempt the crossing and potentially try and do so by leaving from the Belgian coast,’ says Ann Berger of the federal police. ‘The police are paying extra attention to this phenomenon, but we are also asking people definitely to report any potentially suspicious situation they may notice.’
The police are asking people to pay extra attention on our beaches and report suspicious situations via the emergency number 112. This should ensure that emergency services can intervene more quickly.
Checks by local, maritime and traffic police
‘The West Coast police zone is also deploying a drone team with an infrared camera to detect movement on the beach at night,’ Ann Berger continues. ‘And the maritime police are carrying out checks in places along the Belgian coast where boats can leave from. Maritime police are also present on the water. Traffic police will concentrate on all kinds of transports of nautical equipment, like boats and life jackets, to the coast and also on large groups of migrants moving towards the coast.’