The Christian director of a charity which supports refugees and asylum seekers in the UK has said the government’s new deal with France to deter migrants crossing the Channel in small boats may make the situation “even more risky and dangerous”.

Adam Baker from Refugee Roots was responding to a new agreement with France which will see at least 50 riot-trained police officers deployed to French beaches, along with drones, helicopters and cameras to intercept people smugglers.

Parts of the £662m deal could be withdrawn however, if not enough small boat journeys are prevented.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described it as a "landmark agreement", but Baker said he has reservations. 

He told Premier Christian News: “Critics have long been saying that deterrents like these are not likely to work and could potentially make things even more risky and dangerous for those who are desperate.”  

Baker agrees with the numerous charities which have instead called for safe routes to be established to reduce illegal migration.

"The only effective solution to stop illegal crossings is to establish these safe and legal routes for refugees to be able to claim asylum in the UK, rather than focusing solely on enforcement," he said. 

“What we have experienced is that people who have experienced severe trauma, if they are met by potentially more violence and by more upsetting and disturbing experiences, it will only have negative effects on the chances that they might have of restoration, healing and hope for re-building their lives.

“There does need to be humane approaches to how we respond to those who make claims for protection.”

The Home Secretary said the deal would "really arm us to go after the people smugglers", adding that the government is putting money into "the right mix of skills and capabilities that we know will work on the beaches to reduce the crossings".

More than 41,000 migrants crossed the Channel in 2025 while 602 arrived last weekend on a single day.