BRITAIN will increase patrols in the Eng- lish Channel as tough security measures in Calais have led migrants to attempt dangerous sea crossings from northern France, a Downing Street spokesman said on Tuesday (31).
The government has faced heavy criti- cism since 18 Albanian migrants had to be rescued late last Saturday (28) after their boat started taking on water off the English coast and it was revealed that the Border Force agency only has three boats to patrol the shoreline.
Since Britain and France stepped up security measures in the northern French port of Calais, “we have seen a small number of migrants trying to use more dangerous routes to get to the UK,” a spokesman for prime minister David Cameron’s Downing Street office said.
“We take every necessary action to protect our border security and will con- tinue to do so,” he added.
Around six more patrol boats will be added in the coming months although full deployment will not take place until the end of 2017, the government said.
New powers also came into effect on Tuesday allowing Border Force officers to board boats and arrest people suspected of facilitating illegal immigration.
British police on Monday (30) charged two Britons suspected of ferrying the 18 Albanians from the French coast.
Thousands of people have been massed in northern France for months, trying to reach Britain where they have relatives or believe they will have a better chance of finding employment, accord- ing to French and British charities.
Many have attempted to get across by sneaking onto lorries waiting to board cross-Channel ferries or trains.
High winds, strong currents, a high volume of traffic and low water tempera- tures all make the Channel a treacherous stretch of water, particularly in small, unseaworthy boats.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)