Undocumented Migrants: English Channel
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what the interoperability is of the Compagnie de Marche with UK Border Force.
Answered by Alex Norris
The Compagnie de Marche of enforcement officers has been mobilised, similar to the arrangements that were put in place during the Paris Olympics. The unit’s officers have specialist public order powers to address increases in violence on French beaches. This will enable more dynamic patrols of the shoreline to apprehend smugglers, intercept crossings and prevent loss of life in the Channel.
However, these are French law enforcement units, and it would be inappropriate for the Home Office to comment upon their composition or duties. It is important to emphasise that French law enforcement units necessarily operate independently of UK law enforcement, though there is regular liaison, information exchange, and alignment of operational approaches between the two countries.
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