Migrant numbers in French coastal towns ‘out of control’ – ex-diplomat

A former French diplomat has warned that migrant numbers in several northern French coastal towns have reached a point where the situation is “completely out of control,” after GB News published footage showing groups clashing with police, damaging cars and frightening residents.

Locals in towns like Gravelines say they feel “terrorised,” with people-smugglers and migrants moving around openly in lifejackets and police rarely intervening.

François-Joseph Schichan said the first victims are the towns themselves, which have faced these pressures for years but are now overwhelmed as migrant numbers rise sharply.

Schichan stressed that the crisis affects both France and the UK, as many migrants in these towns intend to cross the Channel, creating political pressure on both governments.

He said immigration has become a top concern for the French public, but internal political divisions are limiting the government’s ability to respond. While acknowledging public frustration at the lack of police action, Schichan argued that authorities must balance enforcement with humanitarian considerations, as many migrants are living in appalling conditions.

He added that providing or removing lifejackets would not stop attempted crossings, and that the real solution lies in addressing the root causes driving migration.