Dutch small boat launch shows smugglers are adapting, says MP

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. "As launch disruptions grow, the criminal gangs will adapt and a part of that will be finding new launch locations and methods," said Tapp.

Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Bart van den Brink, who is also minister of asylum and migration, said it was "highly disturbing" to see this happening in Dutch waters. Speaking to RTL he said: "This problem was situated around Calais for a long time and moved up north in the direction of Belgium. He said after the incident the relevant Dutch authorities would be brought together to "see what we can learn from this".

Bastiaan van Blokland, from the Netherlands Red Cross, said the crossing was "unusual" and "didn't look safe at all", adding "we don't see these things often, if at all".