FRENCH authorities escort migrant boats to British waters and give them life jackets, a fisherman has claimed.
The journey across the Channel is the safest it has ever been as the migrants are also picked up once in the UK, Matt Coker says.
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The fisherman, who owns Coker Seafishing, told Times Radio: “The French are giving them life jackets, I suppose to try and avoid another tragedy.
“Then they ask for them back once the British have picked them up.”
More than 7,200 have crossed the Channel in dinghies so far this year, compared with 5,500 this time last year.
On Tuesday, 432 people arrived in eight boats.
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Mr Coker added: “The French are actually escorting them through the shipping lane now.
“They’re only making half the journey. It’s safer to cross the Channel now because you’ll have an escort and you’ll only have to make half the journey as UK Border Force will be waiting to pick you up.
“It seems to be encouraging the problem.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “It is shameful the French are actively facilitating illegal immigrants to cross the Channel.
“It’s a clear breach of their international law obligations.”
The Home Office was asked to comment.
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