UK, France sign pact to tackle people smuggling

France and Britain signed an agreement Sunday to share intelligence in their joint fight against the human traffickers who are illegally smuggling migrants across the English Channel.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the deal to set up a French-British intelligence unit would allow for better exchanges of information about smuggling networks.

British Home Secretary Priti Patel crossed the Channel to visit the northern French city of Calais to sign the deal with Darmanin.

People smuggling across the Channel and migrant camps that regularly spring up along France's northern coast have proven to be an intractable problem for both governments.

Britain's previously strong economy and need for farm and restaurant labor drew migrants from around the world who could speak some English.

Calais over the years has unwillingly hosted rudimentary, overcrowded migrant camps that sprung up, slums so poor and violent that one was dubbed “the Jungle.”

Darmanin said he pressed Patel for additional British help, including officers and equipment, to root out smugglers.

(Representative Image)(Image Credit Pixabay)