How to Actually “Stop the Boats”

Even though they don’t make up the majority of ‘illegal immigrants’, people crossing the channel in small boats have become the most pervasive symbol of what is perceived to be wrong with the UK’s immigration system.

In response, the UK government has, for the last few years, carried on increasing the amount of taxpayer money it gives to France to secure the border at the Channel. Ostensibly, this is hundreds of millions of pounds handed to French police to ‘Stop The Boats’.

So what does this actually look like beyond the coverage provided by the mainstream media and far-right agitators? Simon Childs travelled to Calais & Grand-Synthe to find out.