An MP is calling for the Royal Marines to patrol the English Channel to stop traffickers smuggling in illegal immigrants.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke wants security stepped up following a series of cases when migrants have tried to land in Britain on small craft following the beefing up of security on the Dover-Calais ferry route.

He wants the Royal Navy patrols to be brought to the Channel in what he described as a New Dover Patrol as there are only three Border Force Cutter ships protecting the UK coastline.

He has made the call directly in a letter to Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Mr Elphicke says: “Security in the English Channel is not strong enough. There is a rising threat from people-trafficking by yachts and small boats.

“Dover and Deal has a long and proud history of association with the Royal Marines.
“The New Dover Patrol should be led by the Marines as they have great expertise in countering people-trafficking and attacks on shipping around the world. The Marines have the unique set of skills required to do this job and we now need to see their skills deployed at home.”

Mr Elphicke said that cross-Channel people trafficking is worsening with last week five Iranians brought to Winchelsea and 18 Albanians found on a dinghy off Dymchurch in May.

And last year a man was organising smuggling from France to Kingsdown. His vessel was pictured on the beach when it broke down.

The MP added that National Crime Agency is warning of a growing small craft people-trafficking problem and discovered an extensive trade being run via 200 social media sites.

He said that last week the Home Affairs Select committee reported that the increased security at the main Channel Ports has caused trafficking gangs to seek alternatives.

He said: “Border Force’s ability to counter this problem has been condemned in a damning report by their independent inspector.

“But then it’s hard to protect the UK coastline when you have just three ships. We need urgently to beef up our defences.

“We need more ships on patrol in the English Channel.

“The government should recall Royal Naval Units patrolling the borders of Mediterranean nations who have more border control vessels than we do.”

Security between Dover and Calais was stepped up after the pandemonium caused last summer by waves of illegal immigrants trying to break into Britain, often via the Channel Tunnel. They also continued with the more common method of breaking into the backs of lorries on the way to board ferries at Calais.

This, combined with strikes by French workers, led to Operation Stack being used in Kent for 32 out of 40 days from June 23 to August 1, 2015.

The Royal Marines have for generations had a close relationship with the people of Deal and even though they moved out of the town in 1996 their bandsmen return every year to play concerts.