Migrant crossings to Britain are expected to rise as smugglers adapt their tactics, and favorable weather conditions persist in the English Channel.

PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Hundreds of migrants have reportedly been seen traveling by trains and buses from Calais and Dunkirk along France’s northern coastline, where people-smuggling gangs have increasingly launched small boats towards Britain from further and further away to avoid heightened enforcement along traditional crossing routes. DETAIL: Migrants are reportedly able to travel in large groups without ticket checks or intervention from French authorities frequently, and favorable weather conditions could lead to another wave of Channel crossings in the coming days. Smuggling networks have also expanded their operations by using larger inflatable boats capable of carrying more than 150 migrants. The developments come as the British Labour government’s “one-in, one-out” migrant return agreement with France faces scrutiny after reports that nearly 50 migrants returned under the scheme have since re-entered Britain. Home Office figures show that 1,087 migrants were returned across the English Channel between August 4 last year and June 30, representing four percent of the 27,920 people who crossed the Channel illegally during the same period. A larger number were sent to Britain from France, for an overall net increase in migrants.  IMPACT: The ongoing crossings strain is straining border resources, highlighting the limitations of the Labour government’s current policies. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham insists there has been a decrease in crossings compared to previous years, but he has had to acknowledge the need for more action, as over 2,000 migrants crossed in just two weeks after he took office. FLASHBACK: The “one-in, one-out” deportation deal was introduced to deter illegal crossings, but appears to have comprehensively failed, as it only covers a small number of migrants, more migrants are being sent across the Channel than are returned, and dozens of returnees have simply come back to Britain on another boat.

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