Brits are faced with migrant crisis at French resort as people-smugglers move operations away from Calais

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 10:43, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 10:44, 4 August 2026 Britons at a French holiday resort are facing a fresh crisis as people-smugglers taking people to the UK have begun moving their operations away from Calais.  The Times reported that around 700 migrants managed to cross into the UK from the coastal town of Hardelot-Plage, and other nearby beaches, in a single day last week.  People-smuggling gangs used to pick migrants up around Calais, but tighter police checks have pushed their activity south to the resort town, as well as others with sandy beaches where there are fewer officers.  Complicating matters further for authorities are the new rules for French police set out under the new £660million UK-France deal to patrol beaches for migrants over the next three years.  Under the new rules, police are only allowed to intercept migrant boats if there are fewer than 20 people onboard.  This rule was set in place to try and reduce the number of people who need to be rescued during a botched crossing.  And the rules also prevent gendarmes from intervening before migrants wade into the sea, as it is not legal for them to stand on the beach waiting, The Times reported.  Over the weekend, it was revealed that more than 2,000 migrants arrived on UK shores in small boat crossings since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.   The Times reported that around 700 migrants managed to cross into the UK from the coastal town of Hardelot-Plage, and other nearby beaches, in a single day Migrants are rescued from the water after attempting to cross the English Channel aboard an inflatable boat at Hardelot-Plage in northern France on July 29, 2026 On Saturday alone, 326 migrants arrived in four boats, according to the latest figures, bringing the number to 2,057 since the former Manchester mayor took over from Sir Keir Starmer on July 20. Last Wednesday marked the busiest day for small boat crossings across the English Channel so far this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK. Mr Burnham has said the Government's plan to curb Channel crossings is working as numbers are down year on year, but he has admitted there is more to do. But in the same period in 2025 – from July 20 to August 2 – there were only 1,962 crossings made. Though Mr Burnham backs his Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, saying on Friday her measures have 'started to make a difference'. The Prime Minister added: 'Although this is the peak period of the year for crossings, overall the number of crossings is down, the number of removals of people is up. 'So, there is progress, but we both recognise that we need to do more.'  While Andy Burnham's arrival has seen worse rates of crossing than last year's, the overall total for the year is down substantially when compared to the number at the same point in 2025. This time last year, there had been 25,436 migrants who had arrived by small boats. This year's figure of 14,526 is 43 per cent lower than 2025's figure at the same date. It is also 14 per cent lower than 2024's 16,903 arrivals during the same period. The Home Office notes that small boat crossings fluctuate because of changes in the weather, with peaks in the warmer summer months.