The remains of a small black inflatable boat on a sandy beach, with a flat, calm sea in the backgroundImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Small boats like this one in Gravelines have mainly launched from France in recent years

ByAlex BishSouth East Investigations
  • Published6 November 2026

Dover MP Mike Tapp says smugglers will keep adapting after it was discovered that a boat stopped in the Channel with 38 migrants on board had launched from the Netherlands.

Prosecutors have confirmed the vessel that was found floating with no engine near Cadzand on Saturday had entered the water from Dutch territory.