Evil smugglers are introducing “children go free” journeys across the Channel for an end of summer crossing rush. Around 5,000 migrants are currently based in northern France waiting for their chance to get across on small boats.
They are a mix of single men from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan but many are with women partners and their children. They are being lured in with the offer of no increase in fee for children as the summer months draw to a closer.
Sources say the warm weather forecast for the next four weeks will see a spike in numbers – with many children expected. Lifeboat crews and Border Force staff have been told to expect an increase in babies and children arriving in the next few weeks.
It comes as numbers for arrivals this year are slightly down on last summer.
One Border Force source said: “The smugglers are trying to capitalise on the last few weeks of summer and some nice expected weather.
“Just like any business, they have new deals in place and want to stay one-step-ahead. “It’s evil to lure more across with the promise of a free pass for children, often they are just babies. It shows how utterly ruthless they are. “
“And it’s purely about business and profit for them.” The source said smugglers were worried the recent Channel tragedy which saw six people die earlier this month when a boat capsized had hit trade.
They added: “A tragedy is bad for business. That’s how they see it.
“And numbers are down on last year so they will be doing everything they can. Plus with some groups getting arrested and charged and broken down, new ones are emerging all the time.”
The Sunday Express revealed last week how the crossings had now become a £1 billion industry with more than 100,000 making the journey since 2018.
One French source in Calais said: “There’s thousands of people ready to go before the weather worsens in the autumn. They know about the recent deaths but still want to cross.
“Not a lot will stop them.” Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “The evil of these smugglers has no limits. “The French need to do more on their side to stop this once and for all.
“Millions of pounds of British taxpayer cash has been spent trying to solve this.”
