Ex-border chief declares 'matter of urgency' as illegal migrants board small boats from Belgium instead of France

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A Former Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has warned of a "matter of urgency" in the Channel as small boats are now being launched from Belgium as well as France.Speaking to GB News, John Vine cautioned that the longer sea-bound journey will prove even more perilous for the illegal migrants crossing the Channel, meaning "more lives will be lost".Small boats of illegal migrants are now being launched from Belgian towns as far as De Haan, near Bruges, before travelling for up to four hours to pick up migrants in locations such as Dunkirk and Gravelines on the French coast.Belgian authorities have recorded 17 launches this year alone, compared to no more than two annually since 2021.

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TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Discussing the growing trend in crossings from Belgium, Mr Vine told GB News that the organised crime groups running the operations in the Channel are "very clever businesspeople".He said: "They're looking for profit, obviously, and if the going gets tough in...

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