UK border force jet skis conduct exercises at sea

The UK Border Force appeared to be carrying out security exercises in the English Channel on Monday, after ministers said they wanted migrant boats to be turned back towards France.

The drills off the coast of Dover involved jet skis manoeuvring around a dinghy while other larger vessels were stationed nearby.

The Home Office said it does not routinely comment on maritime operational activity relating to border security.

Throughout the Summer, Britain and France have traded barbs over what to do about a growing number of migrants trying to cross the English Channel in small boats.

Earlier this month the British government briefed British newspapers that UK Border Force vessels could intercept boats and send them back to French waters.

Opposition politicians and refugee groups in Britain say turning back boats in the Channel would be impractical, dangerous and illegal.

Migrants have long used northern France as a launching point to reach Britain, either by stowing away in trucks or on ferries, or — increasingly since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted international travel — in dinghies and other small boats organised by smugglers.

The British and French governments have worked for years to stop the journeys, without much success.

More than 14,000 people have made the crossing this year, according to a count by Britain's Press Association news agency.

In 2020, about 8,500 people made the journey, and several died in the attempt.