Migrant chaos erupts in Dunkirk – yet French police stand idly by

French police have been spotted standing idly by as migrants waded out into the water to board a taxi boat bound for Britain. The armed CRS officers loitered on the shoreline on Wednesday as dozens waited for an incoming vessel.

Carnage then erupted as some of the asylum seekers plunged into the water when they tried to jump onto the dinghy. Some of those on the boat had to cling to another trying to board as they were nearly submerged. The migrants had been waiting for a “taxi boat” in Dunkirk.

The crossings come as it emerge British officials are travelling to France on failed missions to try and persuade single migrants they won’t get free houses or cash.

The extraordinary development was outlined by managers of a refugee reception centre at Croisilles, near Arras, close to the English Channel coast.

Some 14,000 men have stayed in it over the past decade as they prepare to use people smuggler-organised small boats to reach Britain.

Claude Picarda, who assists in the running of the centre, said UK government representatives have ‘been coming once a month since October’ to try and dissuade migrants from making the illegal and hugely dangerous journey.

But – despite their efforts – more than 90% continue on their journey to England.

The Croisilles Reception and Assessment Centre (CAES) only accepts single men in an ‘irregular position’ in France.

They are given the opportunity to claim asylum in France, but less than 10% do so.

Referring to the mythical land paved with gold, Alain Boulanger, the director of the centre, said: ‘More than 90% want to cross the Channel to reach Great Britain, which remains an Eldorado.’

Mr Boulanger told the Voix du Nord [Voice of the North] newspaper that the British ‘come in pairs to provide information about the reality of how migrants are received in England.

‘They debunk common misconceptions – that you’ll get a job, housing, and legal status. The idea is also to tell migrants that there are legal ways to travel to Great Britain from France.’

Mr Boulanger added: ‘We tell them continually that it potentially means losing their lives. But our arguments run up against the allure of this country [Britain].

‘Some already have interests there – family, a place to settle, money they sent ahead of them to avoid being robbed. Most of them also speak the language.’

Migrants from countries including Afghanistan, Iran and Sudan are offered beds, showers, food and information at Croisilles.

The centre opened in 2016, following the destruction of the so-called ‘Jungle’ camp in Calais, which contained thousands of UK-bound migrants.

Explaining the attraction of the centre to UK-bound migrants, Mr Boulanger said: ‘When the final destination [the Channel Coast] is only 30 km [18.6 miles] away, after having walked 6,000 km [3728 miles] to get there, it is very difficult to dissuade someone from crossing the Channel.

‘Some try, fail, and eventually put down their belongings. But this is by no means the majority. The people smugglers, for their part, tell a different story. And then there are those who have already crossed and who call their friends [to join them].’

More to follow. This is a breaking story.