Saturday 5th September 2020
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Police clashes with police in south-east England during demonstrations against migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. The rise in refugee numbers is also creating political tensions between Britain and France.
Protests against the rising number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats have led to clashes with police and multiple arrests in Dover, south-east England. The British police reportedly arrested nine people after dozens of demonstrators blocked a four-lane road near the port city and had clashes with officials.
Many of the demonstrators, who had also come to Dover from other places, wore corona protective masks with the Union Jack and sang the patriotic song “Rule, Britannia!”. Almost a hundred counter-demonstrators had previously gathered in Dover to support the migrants.
The number of migrants crossing the English Channel from France in often unsafe boats has increased sharply this summer. According to a count by the British news agency PA, almost 1,500 refugees managed to get to the English coast in this way in August. This is probably the highest number within a month to date. On Tuesday alone, more than 400 migrants crossed the English Channel, more than ever before in a single day.
Smugglers organize dangerous crossings
When the sea was calm, the migrants set out from France across the strait, which is around 35 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Crossing in small boats is dangerous because the English Channel is frequented by numerous large ships. Almost all migrants state that they come from poor countries and regions of political conflict – for example from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia or Yemen. Most of them apply for asylum. Most of the time, the crossings are organized by smugglers. According to British authorities, there are several reasons for the increase in crossings: the good weather, the corona pandemic and changes in the controls in Calais, France.
The sharp increase in the number of refugees has already created political tension between Britain and France. London is demanding that the French authorities step up their efforts to prevent people from fleeing across the English Channel. The authorities in France assure, however, that they are already doing everything possible to prevent such crossings.
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