We expected the French to be ready for Saturday...elite force must step up'

THE French were not ready for a surge in Channel crossings despite a “dedicated” unit of specialist cops being mobilised — because they are still thrashing out tactics.

- By Michael Knowles

Just 184 migrants were stopped from leaving their shores on Saturday as a record 1,195 migrants reached British waters on 19 small boats.

London and Paris agreed in February to establish the Compagnie de Marche, a group of specialist officers with “elite public order powers”.

It is understood the unit was mobilised last month and will eventually be charged with intercepting boats in the water.

But a Border Force source said: “We expected the French to be ready for Saturday...it was like a millpond out there.

“The new elite force they’ve set up really needs to step up now.”

Yesterday Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed: “A French maritime review is looking at what new operational tactics they will use. We are urging France to complete this review and implement the changes as swiftly as possible.”

Earlier she told MPs that criminal gangs will “likely” have made millions of pounds from crossings at the weekend alone.

She also said further discussions on stronger action with the French interior minister will take place this week.

Madness

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: “The French government are taking us for fools. British taxpayers and forking out huge amounts, only for some French officers to act as bystanders to flagrant criminality.

“Starmer needs to get a grip or we will see record illegal crossings this year.”