Theresa May urged to create Sea Marshal force and put armed guards on ferries to stop ISIS
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke wants the PM to declare war on cross-Channel people smugglers before terrorists infiltrate the route
THERESA May must urgently set up a new Sea Marshal force to stop people trafficking across the Channel before it becomes a national security threat, a Tory MP has demanded.
The use of small yachts and motor boats to drop illegal immigrants in small coastal bays under the cover of darkness is mushrooming.
And fears are growing that ISIS will soon start using the open route to infiltrate terrorists.
In a report submitted to the Home Office, the Conservative MP for Dover Charlie Elphicke has called for a new patrol force to be established to tackle the boom industry.
It should be modelled on the once famous Royal Navy fleet dubbed the Dover Patrol which safeguarded the Channel crossing during World War One, he has insisted.
And the Royal Marines should lead it, as they are the nation’s experts in maritime boardings.
A series of recently discovered landings on the Kent and Sussex coast are just “the tip of the iceberg”, the government whip until last month insisted.
Mr Elphicke said: “A century ago the Dover Patrol kept the White Cliffs of Dover and the English Channel safe in time of war.
“Now we need to declare war on the cross Channel people-traffickers with a New Dover Patrol.
“The Government should recall Royal Naval ships currently patrolling the borders of Mediterranean nations - who have more border control vessels than we do - to keep the English Channel safe and secure.
“The Royal Marines have the unique set of skills required to do this job and we now need to see their skills deployed at home.”
Recent busts included five Iranian migrants arrested last week near Winchelsea in East Sussex after crossing the Channel in an inflatable dinghy.
The growing trafficking and modern slavery trade is being run via more than 200 social media sites, Mr Elphicke’s report states.
But the Border Force was recently rapped by MPs for knowing far too little about it.
It also recently emerged that the UK has just three patrol vessels to protect the 7,723 miles of our coastline, while Italy has 600 boats to watch over its 4,722 miles.
Mr Elphicke also wants the new force to protect cross Channel ferries.
Armed guards already often accompany French passenger boats, he argues.
The 45-year-old MP added: “It is now urgent for the Government to review its threat assessment and consider joining France in having armed guards accompany ferries and review security arrangements in the Channel Tunnel”.
Downing Street yesterday shot down a call for a separate Immigration Ministry to get control of the tidal wave of new arrivals.
The new department could also help ease the burden on areas overrun by too many migrants.
But the PM’s official spokeswoman said: “This Government has been clear that we want to bring migration down to sustainable levels.
“The Home Secretary and the Home Office are responsible for immigration and will be taking forward that work.”