{"id":44939,"date":"2025-03-02T21:21:33","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T02:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/mayor-calls-for-pm-to-visit-calais-migrant-camps\/02\/03\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-03-02T21:21:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T02:21:33","slug":"mayor-calls-for-pm-to-visit-calais-migrant-camps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/mayor-calls-for-pm-to-visit-calais-migrant-camps\/02\/03\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor calls for PM to visit Calais migrant camps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A mayor in Calais has called on Sir Keir Starmer to visit the region to better understand the impact of small boat crossings in northern France.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a message to the prime minister, the mayor of Ambleteuse, St\u00e9phane Pinto, said co-operation between the two countries was &#8220;a must&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the UK government had &#8220;ramped up&#8221; its work with French authorities, revealing French police had stopped 28,000 small boat crossings last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Dame Angela declined to comment on whether the prime minister planned to accept the invitation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>[BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Last year was the deadliest for small boats crossing the English Channel, with an estimated 78 people having died attempting the journey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The latest Home Office data shows that 36,816 people were detected crossing the Channel in small boats in 2024 \u2013 up from 29,437 in 2023, but below a record 45,774 in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mr Pinto urged the prime minister to &#8220;come and look at our beaches&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We must put in place measures to stop bodies on our beaches,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Zinki a young man from Sudan shows the BBC his tent inside a disused wine warehouse in Calais. He is smiling and looking directly at the camera. \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/gv4PE18hiLrXZxf28tXS7w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/3005b031508f6080623baef0e98c486d\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Zinki has lived at the camp for two months while he attempts to cross the Channel [BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The BBC has seen a camp in Calais, located in a former wine warehouse with no working toilets or running water, which is home to several hundred migrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Zinki, from Sudan, has lived at the camp for two months while he attempts to cross the Channel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve faced persecution at home. For us, England works. The language is easier, some people have relatives there,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He also warned of the dangers of crossing the Channel, stating: &#8220;You see your brother die in the sea as you try to cross. Everyone has their own destiny.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a nearby camp in Dunkirk, Akan, from Iran, said: &#8220;It is very dangerous. Our boat got a hole in it and we were in the water for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We had to wait for the big French boat to save us. I thought we would die.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Several tents inside a warehouse. Prayer mats form a makeshift area for those seeking to pray. \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/9NqwuII9nmk05DIXZg4lKQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/3032805fdacdc8bc20f68b0a39e155bf\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Last year was the deadliest for crossing of the English Channel [Michael Keohan\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Calais MP Marc De Fleurian said he had ruled out joint patrols on French beaches, stating British police on French soil would make local authorities look &#8220;weak&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I think British police would be perceived very badly by the French,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Emily Featherstone, from charity Care4Calais that provide tents and clothing for migrants in northern France, said finding safer routes was essential.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;What we offer in shoes, sleeping bags and activities isn&#8217;t that amazing that people would travel here just for that,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two French police officers patrol the beach at Sangatte. They are both facing away from the camera. \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/0Hgg0Lu.O_Y0O9PvAEPbUw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/b7ff2e2bafe5b89097b559dfc7981665\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Last year, at least 78 people died attempting the journey across the English Channel [BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Home Office said it had launched new specialist police and enforcement plans, including state of the art surveillance technology to disrupt criminal smuggling gangs in northern France.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">New measures to tackle people-smuggling gangs have been agreed by the UK and France, with more than \u00a37m of existing funds redirected towards a &#8220;stronger&#8221; law enforcement response on migrant Channel crossings, a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When questioned about what deterrent the government had to stop crossings, Dame Angela said &#8220;one is they [migrants] may die.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Follow BBC Kent on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCinKent\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Facebook,<\/em><\/a><em> on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BBCRadioKent\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:X;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>X<\/em><\/a><em> and on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcinkent\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Instagram.<\/em><\/a><em> Send your story ideas to <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/mailto:southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk\" data-ylk=\"slk:southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><em>southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk<\/em><\/a><em> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Related stories<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Related internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/mayor-calls-pm-visit-calais-000113603.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A mayor in Calais has called on Sir Keir Starmer to visit the region to better understand the impact of small boat<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/mayor-calls-for-pm-to-visit-calais-migrant-camps\/02\/03\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44939"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44939\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}