Minister in Belgium after migrant boat launches

A UK government minister has held talks in Belgium on tackling people smuggling following recent attempts to launch small boats from Belgian beaches.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris described Belgium as a key ally in tackling the global challenge of illegal migration.

The visit comes after police recently told the BBC they were stepping up patrols following attempts by smugglers to target the Belgian coast, away from the main launch sites in France.

The Home Office said it was working with international partners to drive down small boat crossings.

On Thursday Norris met Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt to discuss illegal migration.

"We have a history of brilliant law enforcement cooperation to put the criminal smuggling gangs where they belong – behind bars," he said.

"This government will continue to work closely with international partners as we restore order and control to UK borders."

There has been more focus on Belgium as a departure point in recent weeks after small boat activity in coastal towns including De Panne, Koksijde and Nieuwpoort.

Local police suggested the recent attempts were due to increased pressure on smugglers in France.

The authorities said the last confirmed departure was on 24 February, when 22 migrants left from the beach in Oostduinkerke.

Officials said boat launches had previously been limited because the Channel crossing is longer from Belgium.

The Belgian Federal Police said it was stepping up patrols, both on land and at sea, as well as from the air with the deployment of the Frontex aircraft.

The recent launch off Oostduinkerke involved a so-called 'taxi-boat', which picked up migrants in the sea before heading along the coast to France.

Federal Police said it had identified three departures by small boat so far this year, but said it was possible there had been others.

Speaking to the BBC earlier this month, retired Dover coastguard Andy Roberts said he was concerned about the health risks for those attempting longer journeys from the Belgian coastline.

"The majority of migrants wade out to the boats that take them, so they're soaking wet up to their chest before they even set off," he said.

Tony Smith, the former director general of the UK Border Force, told BBC South East the smugglers were always looking for new tactics.

"Smuggling gangs are quite happy to move their operations, to try and avoid any patrols either by the French or the Belgian police," he said.

"It's obviously still quite a sophisticated operation that's going on over there."

In recent years the UK government has assisted the Belgian authorities with technology such as drones to help track smugglers along the coast.

Resources are also being used to try to prevent migrants stowing away on cross-channel freight.

The Home Office said there have been investments of around £4m over the past two years.

It said this had led to the establishment of a control room in the Port of Zeebrugge, which enables private security in the port to respond immediately to security breaches.

Funding also continues towards shared patrols to search containers and vehicles using Border Force officers, dog teams, security infrastructure in and around the port and equipment for Belgian officers.

Government figures show 41,262 people crossed the Channel in small boats last year - the vast majority from France - a 13% increase in a year.

The figure remains lower than the peak of 45,774 in 2022.

Between 1 January and 9 March 2026, 3,409 people made the crossing.

The government has pledged to "smash the smuggling gangs" in order to reduce the numbers crossing in small boats.

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