France has been ordered to act "swiftly" as frustrations grow in Britain with the lack of French action in stopping migrant boats leaving shallow waters.
Police across the Channel claim to be powerless to stop migrants after a certain point due to a legal loophole that prevents officers from intervening offshore.
Under current French guidelines, officers can stop boats leaving the beach by puncturing them, but are not allowed to wade out unless migrants call for help.
The French Government has committed to changing its laws so police can stop boats in the sea for the very first time.
Yvette Cooper has said 'stronger action' is needed to stop the small boats
GETTY
This will enable officers to use their vessels in shallow waters to intercept dinghies.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was "disgraceful and unacceptable" to see 1,194 migrants cross the Channel on Saturday, with French authorities only preventing 184 migrants.
Some 259 boats have made their way to the UK so far this year, with France only preventing 38 per cent of them.
Cooper said she had been in touch with the French Interior Minister, insisting he take "stronger action" to stop small boats crossing.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
She said: "The gangs are increasingly operating a model where boats are launched from further along the coast and people climb in from the water, exploiting French rules that have stopped their police taking any action in the sea.
"This is completely unacceptable. The previous Government raised this with France for years, but to no avail, and I have raised it with the French Government since the summer.
"The French Interior Minister and the French cabinet have now agreed that their rules need to change.
"A French maritime review is looking at what new operational tactics they will use, and we are urging France to complete this review and implement the changes as swiftly as possible."
The French Government has committed to changing its laws to stop small boats
PALe Marin, the French maritime daily, has warned that there is a fierce opposition to the shifting of the law, including from local police officers.
They are concerned about the logistical issues of the shift, such as officers protecting their weapons or wearing body armour in water.
So far this year, Britain has seen 14,812 Channel migrants arrive on its shores, up 42 per cent from this time last year.
Sir Keir Starmer said the Government is "ramping up efforts to smash the people smuggling gangs at source"; however, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called this "rubbish".
More From GB News
Most Read
