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Channel migrants being intercepted by France in around only a fifth of cases

The crew of a Royal Air Force aircraft observe the coastline of Dover in order to identify potential migrants coming across the Channel from France - Cpl Ed Wright RAF/MoD/PA
The crew of a Royal Air Force aircraft observe the coastline of Dover in order to identify potential migrants coming across the Channel from France - Cpl Ed Wright RAF/MoD/PA

Only one in five migrants who have attempted to cross the Channel have been intercepted by France.

Speaking after a visit to Paris to try and solve the crisis which has seen a record number of asylum seekers crossing this year, Chris Philp, the immigration minister, said the French authorities were "doing a great deal of work", adding: "They've intercepted well over a thousand people so far this year."

However, the total number of migrants to have made it to the UK in small boats this year is around 4,100 (see graphic below), which suggests only around a fifth are being stopped by the French. In the past few days, more than 600 people have made the journey by boat.

Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the defence select committee, accused the French authorities of "half-heartedness", telling The Telegraph: "The French are unable to cope at the best of times.

"In normal circumstances, the French are only preventing around half of the dinghies crossing the Channel – but during the current spike that's dropped to a fifth, so it's clear that only with greater maritime collaboration with the British can we attempt to significantly reduce the success rate of the crossing."

Mr Ellwood added that the low rate "justifies why, during this heightened period our Armed Forces also need to be involved" (see video below).

The former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith described the figures as "clearly too low" and urged the French "to control the beaches and stop them launching their boats".

During the meeting between Mr Philp and the French government, it was pledged to make the route "completely unviable", with "a new comprehensive joint operational plan" discussed.

Mr Philp said the new plan involved a "number of measures, some of them new, which are under discussion".

The Telegraph understands the Home Office has chosen not to make these measures public because they "don't want the smugglers to know what's going on", but The Telegraph believes measures being considered include increased coastal foot patrols and drone surveillance.

Mr Philp added he was pleased that, following the appointment of  the Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, Dan O'Mahoney, France "will be reciprocating by creating their own new national commander on this critical issue".

"These were positive talks, and both sides reaffirmed their  joint commitment to making the route completely unviable," he said.