People-smuggling gangs are launching small boats from Belgian beaches for the first time, with vessels setting off from more than 60 miles from the English coast and motoring along the Belgian and French shorelines for up to four hours in 'taxi' operations, according to multiple reports. Towns as far afield as De Haan, near Bruges, have been identified as launch sites, and beaches in resorts including De Panne, Koksijde, Nieuwpoort and Ostend have become launch points, Belgian authorities said. Last month, a group of 22 migrants was recorded departing from Oostduinkerke beach, and an unprecedented five boats left three Belgian beaches last Saturday carrying more than 200 migrants, The Mail on Sunday understands. The Belgian arrivals made up almost half the total 602 migrants who were escorted into Dover on Saturday by Border Force, according to multiple reports. Carl Decaluwe, the Governor of West Flanders, said 29 migrant boats carrying as many as 80 migrants per vessel were launched from beaches since January. "I had never seen this many boats being launched from Belgian beaches," Decaluwe said at a press conference. Local police suggested the recent rise was because of increased pressure on smugglers in France. Officials said the small number of recent launches off Belgium involved 'taxi-boats', which pick up migrants in the sea before heading along the coast to France. Frontex confirmed the shift towards Belgium had been observed since late February. Belgian police say officers are now intercepting migrants and suspected smugglers on a near-daily basis along the coast. Hundreds of migrants are pouring into Britain from Belgium on a new front, according to multiple reports. Smugglers are launching vessels from beaches in Flanders as the French clamp down on them under British government pressure, and migrants are using free buses that shuttle them along the coast to move from camps in France to Belgium, multiple reports indicate. Westkust Police told the BBC there were no crossings in their zone last year and at least five this year. On Wednesday night, 15 migrants were discovered near Nieuwpoort marina, police said. According to www.aol.com, Jarne Pollie, a journalist at VRT, described the activity as "quite unusual" and noted that smugglers had previously used De Panne but were now attempting launches from Koksijde and Nieuwpoort. According to www.aol.com, Tony Smith, former director general of the UK Border Force, described the shift as an "ongoing challenge" and said it indicated that smuggling gangs were moving operations to avoid patrols. According to www.aol.com, Andy Roberts, a retired Dover coastguard, expressed concern about health risks for migrants attempting longer journeys from Belgium and described the dangerous conditions, including overcrowded boats and the risk of crossing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Physical barriers have also been installed to make it harder to access beaches with trailers and boats, according to research. Last year smugglers began making attempts much further south of Calais and Dunkirk in the Dieppe area, 112 miles away, research shows.
Britain is attempting to renegotiate its financial arrangement with France for policing the Channel coastline, according to multiple reports. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood last month signed a two-month extension to a three-year, £475million agreement shortly before it expired, and under the extension, British taxpayers are contributing a further £16.5million to cover the cost of French police patrols, multiple reports indicate. Mahmood is pushing for a new deal containing performance-related clauses that would tie funding directly to the proportion of boats intercepted by French authorities, The Express understands. However, other reports state that Mahmood signed a three-year agreement with France on Thursday to pay £662million to support beach patrols, creating uncertainty about the exact amount and duration of the current deal. Since the original deal was struck in 2023 under the Conservative government, crossings have risen steadily, with 41,472 people arriving on small boats in 2025 alone, according to multiple reports. French police have stepped up their response, deploying tear gas, slashing boats on beaches and using drones, light aircraft and patrol vessels, multiple reports indicate. GB News reported that people smugglers were attempting to push small boats off the beaches of northern France, with at least one boat slashed by French law enforcement. Around 4,766 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, a 28% decrease compared to the same period in 2025 when arrivals had surpassed 6,600, according to the Home Office and Border Force. GB News reported that 600 migrants made the illegal journey, with 250 setting off from Belgium. Belgium has emerged as a significant new launching point, with more than 20 vessels departing from West Flanders beaches in recent weeks, according to multiple reports. Decaluwe said at a press conference: "The British get nothing out of the deal."
We already have good cooperation with our British colleagues, but we want to further strengthen our exchange of information. Since Brexit, this exchange has become more difficult.
A UK government minister held talks in Belgium on tackling people smuggling, according to multiple reports. The Home Office said there have been investments of around £4m over the past two years in Belgium. The UK government has provided £1.3m to Belgian law enforcement to deter smuggling attempts, according to research. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said at a press conference: "We already have good cooperation with our British colleagues, but we want to further strengthen our exchange of information. Since Brexit, this exchange has become more difficult." Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said at a press conference: "Belgium is a key ally in tackling illegal migration." The exact measures the UK is taking to cooperate with Belgium beyond the £1.3m or £4m investments remain unclear.
Since early 2025, Belgian authorities have investigated the transit of small boats and related nautical equipment from neighbouring countries, primarily Germany, towards France, according to research. Analysts and investigators assumed from the outset that smugglers were part of larger criminal networks operating across Europe. The investigations highlighted the risks for migrants, who rely on low-quality inflatable boats and improvised equipment, paying thousands of euros for dangerous crossings of the English Channel, research shows. On 25 March 2026, authorities in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, with support from Europol and Eurojust, conducted fourteen searches, including two in Belgium, according to research. Four high-value targets were arrested in Germany under the instruction of a Belgian investigating judge, while 17 individuals involved in logistical roles were also detained. Seized items included eleven boats, engines, life jackets, weapons, cash, and electronic devices. Twelve officers from the Belgian Federal Judicial Police in West Flanders assisted German authorities on site. The arrested suspects in Germany are expected to be extradited to Belgium to face prosecution in Bruges, research indicates. Belgian authorities emphasised that interceptions within the country prevent potentially dangerous crossings and provide support to neighbouring countries, particularly France. The operation illustrates the ongoing cooperation between Belgian judicial and law enforcement services and their counterparts in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom in addressing cross-border smuggling activities, according to research.
Belgium is a key ally in tackling illegal migration.
This was quite unusual.
In the past they used De Panne, the town closest to the French border. Now we also see attempts from Koksijde and Nieuwpoort, which is further away.
It was an ongoing challenge.
It indicates that smuggling gangs are quite happy to move their operations, to try and avoid any patrols either by the French or the Belgian police.
I was concerned about the health risks for those attempting longer journeys from Belgium.
The majority of migrants wade out to the boats that take them, so they're soaking wet up to their chest before they even set off. The boats are overcrowded and they're crossing the busiest thoroughfare for shipping in the world, it's extremely dangerous in every respect.
They were going from Koksijde to England and then one day later on Wednesday there was an attempt to smuggle 15 from Nieuwpoort. This is indeed quite unusual. From Belgium there was the tradition of transmigrants climbing into trucks and cross