French action ‘has prevented nearly 500 small boat crossings this year’

People thought to be migrants wade through the sea to board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France (Gareth Fuller/PA) - (PA Wire)

French authorities have stopped more than half of small boat crossings in the Channel this year, the Home Secretary has said.

Yvette Cooper told MPs nearly 500 crossings had been “prevented” by the French police, with 385 reaching British shores.