EU country hit by migrant crisis begs UK for help as small boat crossings spike

The country is looking to deepen its connection with the UK to combat human smuggling (Image: Getty)

A country in the European Union that's grappling with a surge in migrant crossings has asked the UK to step up cooperation as people-smuggling gangs increasingly launch small boats from its western coastline. Authorities in Belgium have said criminal networks are using beaches along its North Sea coast to send migrants towards the UK, sparking fresh talks with UK officials on tackling the growing threat.

The move comes amid warnings that the number of attempted crossings from the Belgian coast has risen sharply in recent months, with smugglers and migrants being intercepted almost daily by police. Belgian authorities say the activity is concentrated along the country’s western coastline, where beaches in resorts including De Panne, Koksijde, Nieuwpoort and Ostend have become launch points for small boats heading towards Britain. Last month, a group of 22 migrants was recorded departing from Oostduinkerke beach, while De Panne and Koksijde have seen increased activity with police intercepting vessels and arresting traffickers.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin wishes to improve information-sharing mechanisms with the UK (Image: Getty)

Belgian authorities have warned that organised crime groups are adapting their tactics by moving away from the heavily policed French coast near Calais and Dunkirk, instead launching vessels from quieter beaches further north.

Police say smugglers are also using so-called “taxi boats”, which move along the shoreline picking up migrants before heading into the English Channel.

A group of 22 migrants was recorded departing from Oostduinkerke beach in February (Image: Getty)

In response to the spike in activity, Belgian forces have increased patrols along the western coast and stepped up cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, including the deployment of surveillance aircraft to monitor the shoreline. The initiative aims to detect boats before they depart and dismantle the networks organising crossings.

Belgian police say officers are now intercepting migrants and suspected smugglers on a near-daily basis along the coast as the route becomes increasingly active.