SECURITY in the English Channel is not strong enough and needs to improve.
There is a rising threat from people-trafficking by yachts and small boats.
Meanwhile there are growing concerns that cross Channel transport should have increased protection to counter the rising terrorist threat.
Just last week, five Iranians were trafficked to Winchelsea in Sussex.
Last month traffickers were convicted of trafficking Albanians to Dymchurch in Kent.
While last November a man was found running a people-trafficking operation from France to Kingsdown in Kent. These are just the ones we know about.
The National Crime Agency is warning these cases are just the tip of a very large iceberg. They say there is a growing small craft people-trafficking problem.
An extensive people-trafficking trade being run via 200 social media sites has been discovered.
The Home Affairs Select Committee has found increased security at the main Channel Ports has caused people-trafficking gangs to seek out alternative routes.
Border Force’s ability to counter this growing problem has been condemned in a damning report by their independent inspector.
But then they have to make do with just three ships to cover over 7,000 miles of British coastline.
It is increasingly clear we need urgently to beef up our defences.
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A century ago the Dover Patrol kept the White Cliffs of Dover and the English Channel safe in time of war.
Now we need to declare war on the cross Channel people-traffickers with a New Dover Patrol. We need more ships on patrol in the English Channel.
The Government should recall Royal Naval units patrolling the borders of Mediterranean nations - who have more border control vessels than we do - to keep the English Channel safe and secure.
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The New Dover Patrol should be led by the Royal Marines. The Marines have the expertise to catch the people-traffickers and protect shipping.
France takes the threat of attacks on ferries very seriously. So should we. Britain should join France in having armed guards accompany ferries.
Security arrangements in the Channel Tunnel must also be reviewed.
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It’s time to beef up our border protection. To take control and stop the people-traffickers.
We cannot be complacent about the threat from ISIL/Daesh and terrorism.
We should join France in having armed guards accompany ferries as well as ensure the Channel Tunnel is as secure as we can make it.
