MP issues warning of small boat crossings increase during Olympics
Dover's Natalie Elphicke wants extra border protection in place during the Games
Potential gaps in French security during the Olympics should not be allowed to be exploited by small boat people smugglers, an MP has warned.
Preparations must be made to address concerns police in northern France might be redeployed to Paris or other Olympic sites in July and August, said Dover and Deal’s Natalie Elphicke.
A refugee aid charity said fears traffickers will exploit any weakness in cross-Channel border security as “plausible”.
Ms Elphicke said: “More than anything, I think it underlines the importance of UK/French co-operation in securing the French beaches against the small boats.
“If there are any anticipated shortages on the French coast because of the Olympics, then preparations must be made in advance.
“We have seen the redeployment of officers during rioting recently. That’s why we need joint patrols UK and French authorities together in France to stop the boats, so if there is a sudden shortage or gap, it does not leave the border unprotected.”
High summer is the busiest time for Channel crossings by small boats with calmer sea conditions.
Kent County Council (KCC) is currently preparing up to nine centres which will temporarily house the large number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).
Under UK law, KCC must take all minors in and house them for up to 10 days before they are dispersed to other parts of Britain via the National Transfer Scheme.
According to reports, France has already reached out to its international allies to assist with security during the games.
An official in the French interior ministry said Paris had asked 46 allies to send 2,185 police reinforcements, said France24.
It comes after an attack by Islamic State (IS) on a Moscow concert hall sent threat levels across Europe through the roof, particularly in France.
Operation Sentinelle, a French military force formed nine years ago to protect people from terrorist threats, is in place.
Around 20,000 soldiers will be involved in securing the Olympic Games in Paris, alongside 40,000 police and gendarmes.
Tensions are high between President Macron and the Kremlin with the war in Ukraine adding a new dimension to the threat from Russia.
Refugee aid charity Seeking Sanctuary co-director Ben Bano said: “It’s a plausible scenario the people traffickers would exploit a lack of security.
“But, to be honest, there are so many different variables at play here, especially when you’re dealing with traffickers.
“Presumably the French police have got finite resources and will employ them accordingly.”
Seeking Sanctuary claims the number of small boats making dangerous crossings could be eased by offering UK asylum applications by appointment in northern French towns such as Calais and Dunkerque.
Philip Ingram MBE, a former senior military intelligence officer and international security expert, said the world’s focus on France might act as a greater deterrent to the smugglers.
He added: “From a logistical perspective, it might make the work of the organised crime groups behind the smuggling more difficult.
“One could argue that rather than there being a reduced security presence, that it could increase.
“Security levels in France will be as high as they need to be and there will be a lot of international cooperation, given it is an Olympic Games.
“There will be intelligence coming in from all over the place. The Olympic Games is a valuable target to attack for a terrorist organisation but the French will be doing all it can to disrupt that threat.”
Labour leader of Dover District Council and assistant group secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) for Border Force, Kevin Mills said: “When there is heightened security they’ll (the French) deploy their officers to where the need is. But I haven’t heard any specifics about that, personally.”
Six centres to be used to house lone minors announced by KCC in recent months are:
Braethorpe, Canterbury Road, Ashford: 10 beds for under 16s; work starts in July;
Edward Moore House, Trinity Road, Gravesend: 36 places for under 18s; may be open by the summer;
High View Oast, Poultons Road, Ash: 22 beds for under 16s; building work until July 2024;
Kiln Court, Lower Road, Faversham: 32 beds for 17 and 17 year olds; renovation work until July 2024;
The Limes Brent Lane, Dartford: accommodation for under 18s; work continues until August.
Ocean Heights, Seaside Avenue, Minster on Sea: 50 places for 16 and 17 year olds; owners pulled out of deal after a public backlash.