Navy
Calls For Royal Navy To Patrol UK Coastline For Migrants
Coastal communities would like the Royal Navy to patrol the English Channel, to stop migrants crossing from the continent, a Forces TV investigation has found.
There are growing fears and evidence that migrants are risking their lives to cross from mainland Europe to the UK.
The English coastline offers plenty of scope for smugglers, at it's narrowest, the English Channel is only 20 miles wide.
In the coastal town of Ramsgate, the majority of people we spoke to seemed keen to have the Royal Navy active protecting the English Channel and their coastline.
Fishermen told us Naval patrols would be beneficial – particularly from a safety point of view.
There have been reports that fisherman and sailors have been approached and offered money to smuggle migrants across the channel – no one we spoke to here said that had happened to them or anyone they knew.
In a statement in response to the Forces TV investigation, the MOD has said:
“The Ministry of Defence has yet to have a formal request to utilize the Royal Navy in this capacity. If asked by the Home Office we will do what we can do.”
The former head of the British Navy, Lord West, described Britain's border control as a "complete mess" earlier this year.
There are currently no plans for the Royal Navy to patrol the English Channel.
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