Migrant boat found off Dutch coast raises concerns about smuggling tactics
Dover MP Mike Tapp is warning smuggling gangs may find new methods after boat discovered
Concerns have been raised about smuggling gangs adopting new tactics after a rubber boat carrying 38 migrants was discovered near the southern coast of the Netherlands.
The vessel was found floating without an engine and was towed to the port of Cadzand in the Zeeland province by emergency crews last Saturday.
Two Sudanese men were arrested on suspicion of human smuggling, Dutch prosecutors said, and a magistrate ordered their detention for 14 days on Tuesday, with both suspects held in restricted conditions.
Investigators later concluded the boat had launched from Dutch territory, and crews continue to search for the missing engine.
Mike Tapp, the MP for Dover, said that as launch disruptions increase, criminal gangs would adapt, finding new locations and methods for launching boats.
He emphasised the need for agile operational efforts and acknowledged a reduction in migrant crossings this year, but noted that the issue persists.
Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Bart van den Brink described the incident as "highly disturbing" and highlighted the need for Netherlands’ authorities to learn from it.
He noted the smuggling problem moved from Calais northward to Belgium and has now reached the Dutch coast for the first time.
Home Office figures show that with over two months remaining in 2026, the total number of crossings stands at 21,869, which suggests the yearly total is unlikely to surpass that of 2025.
The Government reports a significant decrease in crossings, with the lowest number of summer arrivals since 2020 recorded this year.