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<p>Facilitating these crossings is illegal and no one should be attempting them in
the first place. France, from where almost all embark, is a manifestly safe country
with a fully functioning asylum system. Any of these migrants needing asylum should
claim it in France. Those seeking to cross must traverse some of the busiest shipping
lanes in the world. It is a reckless and dangerous crossing, putting the lives of
the people who attempt it at serious risk – including children and babies.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government is working flat out to put a complete stop to these crossings,
and all attempts to reach the UK clandestinely and action is being taken on a daily
basis.</p><p> </p><p>The National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, Border Force
and the UK Police are working closely with French authorities to crack down on the
criminals who facilitate the crossings. There is a UK-France Coordination and Information
Centre opened in Calais which opened in November 2018</p><p> </p><p>This law enforcement
response is delivering results. French law enforcement prevented over 1000 people
from crossing by small boats in April and May 2020.</p><p> </p><p>In 2019, Immigration
Enforcement made 418 arrests, leading to 203 convictions for a total of 437 years.
Out of these, 259 arrests and 100 convictions were for people smuggling. Immigration
Enforcement carried out 841 disruptions against organised crime gangs and individuals
engaged in organised immigration crime, 404 of which were related to people smuggling.
So far in 2020, 21 people smugglers have been convicted and put behind bars as a result
of Immigration Enforcement investigations, with more investigations underway.</p><p>
</p><p>The UK Government has also returned over 155 small boats arrivals back to Europe
since January 2019 using the legal channels available. We have a further 686 return
cases which we are currently urgently progressing.</p><p> </p><p>There is more we
need to do beyond this. We are working on developing tactics to prevent crossings
at sea, and on ways to rapidly return those who do get across. This may require primary
legislation and new agreements with the French Government. These are currently under
active discussion. The Prime Minister directly discussed the issue with President
Macron on 18 June and the Home Secretary is in constant contact with her opposite
number, the French Interior Minister. We will not rest until the crossings are entirely
stopped.</p>
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