France should ‘take lessons from Belgium in getting tough on illegal migration’

FRANCE should take lessons from Belgium in getting tough on illegal migration, government insiders say.

Senior UK officials want Calais cops to learn from their nextdoor neighbours on how to stop Channel crossings to Britain.

Just one small boat has come from Belgium so far this year following the country’s robust crackdown on smuggling gangs.

It has included bringing migrants back while they are making the journey - while French ships escort vessels into British waters.

The Home Office is currently reviewing a deal with France that sees taxpayers send them £500million for their help stopping migrant launches.

But more boats are currently getting to Britain than are being prevented - the most recent data for the week of October 13 shows 613 migrants arrived, while just 528 were caught.

Last week Borders Minister Angela Eagle and her Belgian counterpart Nicole de Moor agreed closer cooperation on tackling illegal migration.

Our law enforcement will work with their cops to flush out the criminal networks, and work together on deportations.

Ms Eagle said: “We cannot let criminal gangs decide who enters our country, and closer relationships with our bilateral partners is fundamental to disrupting criminal networks and protecting our borders.

“Strengthened partnership overseas is a key priority of our new Border Security Command.

"Providing leadership across the whole system, with enhanced intelligence capabilities and law enforcement cooperation, we are using every tool at our disposal to dismantle people smuggling gangs.”