Twelve migrant people were arrested on Saturday January 18 on a beach in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. An operation far from being isolated in the Bay of Somme. Crossing attempts have been increasing for several months, with individuals seeking to avoid surveillance in Nord-Pas-de-Calais.
Company
From daily life to major issues, discover the subjects that make up local society, such as justice, education, health and family.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the “Society” newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
Failed attempt. Twelve exiled people, who were apparently attempting to cross the Channel, were arrested on Saturday January 18 in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Zodiac, engine, life jackets… equipment allowing people to reach the United Kingdom was discovered by the police.
The individuals, taken into custody for an administrative procedure, were located near Cape Hornu. “We're seeing more and more of them. It's miserable, there's nothing we can do about it unfortunately, but I find it courageous of them to try”explains a resident the next day.
Most say they are not necessarily aware of this type of arrest in the Bay of Somme. “It remains quite discreet, we are not really bothered by it. In any case, there is nothing we can do about it”said another passerby.
An event which is not uncommon on the Samarian coast. On December 13, eight people had already been arrested in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Not far from here, in Crotoy, elected officials are not indifferent to the phenomenon.
Philippe Evrard, the mayor, indicates that he is not “directly concerned given that we do not overlook the estuary. But yes, we can clearly see what is happening yesterday or in other areas, as far as Cayeux-sur-Mer”.
Today, migrants are looking to go further south of the coast to attempt these crossings, which are not always successful.
-Evelyne Plée, president of the federation of the Human Rights League of the Somme
An area which attracts more than before due to the strong surveillance in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais. Évelyne Plée, president of the Somme Human Rights League federation, admits: “previously, we only talked about these areas. Today, migrants are looking to go further south of the coast to attempt these crossings which are not always successful”.
But the association warns of the risks involved: a greater distance from England, silting up of the bay and significant danger “to come across big boats”.
The coast, popular with smugglers, is more patrolled by the gendarmes of “Poseidon“. Around forty agents circulate in the Picardy municipalities throughout the year to avoid departures.
Illustration this morning. Officers were monitoring Cape Hornu beach using drones to detect any suspicious movements:
The national gendarmerie monitors the Picardy coast with the help of drones in search of makeshift boats.
•
© Mélissa Genevois / FTV
Missions headed by the national gendarmerie under command of the Abbeville Company. “The teams regularly visit our communities”details Régis Rimbaut, deputy in Cayeux-sur-Mer. “There are also surveillance cameras installed in our communities”.
Objective for law enforcement: reduce illegal crossings. Their number increased significantly last year. 38,816 migrants arrived in the UK illegally. 25% more than in 2023, according to the British Home Office. A particularly deadly year as well with 89 deaths.
