Europe has once again been hit by a wave of illegal migration. As Germany deports thousands of migrants to Poland, the UK is calling for increased vigilance and deploying drone camera systems along the coast.
Germany’s fight
Thousands of illegal migrants have been deported from Germany to Poland, according to recent reports. As of the end of June, 3,140 people had been deported from the German region of Brandenburg alone.
The figure is part of a wider trend: it is estimated that the total number of deportees from Germany’s neighbouring states could reach almost 10,000.
Aleksandra Fedorska, a journalist for independent radio Wnet, speaking on conservative Republika TV, noted a significant increase in the presence of Polish border guards on the border with Germany, calling it a positive phenomenon. She said:
We see them on motorways and carry out mobile checks in the border area. Until a few months ago, there was no sign of any border guard presence in the area.
The issue of deporting migrants has figured prominently in public discourse, especially after tensions escalated between Germany and Poland over dealing with illegal immigration. Fedorska noted that the current situation in Germany contributes to these tensions, as the public is increasingly concerned about security and the potential impact on political stability.
The journalist also discussed the potential impact of upcoming regional elections in eastern Germany, including in Saxony and Brandenburg, on Polish-German relations. She noted the growing popularity of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in these regions, suggesting that its success could further deteriorate cross-border dialogue, especially on migration policy.
UK Police use drone cameras in operation
Federal and local police on the west coast of Flanders are calling for increased vigilance amid growing concerns about traffickers using small boats on our beaches. A team of drones with an infrared camera is deployed in the West Coast police zone to detect movement on the beach at night. And the maritime police are carrying out checks at places along the Belgian coast where boats may be leaving from. The traffic police will focus on all transport carrying marine equipment, such as boats and life jackets, to the coast, as well as large groups of migrants travelling to the coast.
More than 500 migrants arrived in the UK on Tuesday, having crossed the Channel from northern France. Police fear more attempts will be made from the Flemish coast due to the good weather.
A further 526 migrants arrived in the UK on Tuesday after crossing the Channel from northern France, according to the latest figures from the UK Home Office. Migrants mainly cross the Channel from northern France as the distance to the UK is the shortest there, but attempts from Belgium are also possible.
According to preliminary figures, 19,820 migrants have already arrived in the UK this year. The figure is similar to last year and 21 per cent less than in 2022.
