Illegal migrants brought to UK in ‘dangerous' £350 dinghies sold online by backstreet factories in China
Workshops 5,000 miles away churn out flimsy vessels to order for unscrupulous gangs in northern France — offering discounts for bulk purchases.
2
The National Crime Agency said the dinghies were becoming 'ever more dangerous and un-seaworthy, increasing the risk to life'.
Our probe found that the factories, all in Shandong and Zhejiang provinces, advertise through Chinese e-commerce site Alibaba.com and state their main export market is western Europe.
They say the boats, typically 8m-long, can carry more than 30.
In reality, double that cram on them.
Last week, a 10m-long boat brought 106 into British waters.
At least 469 fully-loaded dinghies have crossed to the UK so far this year, carrying 27,881, the majority young men.
This week a shipment of 20 small boats destined to ferry migrants across the Channel to the UK was seized in Bulgaria.
Another 25 were confiscated at the same location in July thanks to intelligence gathered by British law enforcement passed on to the Bulgarian National Customs Agency.
It comes after the Foreign Office sanctioned Chinese firm Weihai Yamar Outdoors Product Co for advertising online inflatable boats for the specific purpose of people smuggling.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'The Labour government claimed it would smash the gangs but can't even stop the Chinese-made boats being sold in France.
Small boat crossings under Labour are on brink of hitting 50,000 - one illegal migrant every 11 mins since the election
'This is a weak government which has lost control of our borders. They aren't prepared to take the tough action needed to end this madness so the situation will get worse.'
Alibaba said: 'Search terms or product listings such as 'refugee boat' or 'immigrant boat' are in violation of our listings policies and won't return positive search results.'
It said the inflatables advertised were 'designed, certified, and intended for lawful purposes'.
2
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economist
19 minutes ago
- Economist
Gangs are using increasingly sophisticated kit to steal cars
IMAGINE MEETING a seasoned British car thief in 2013. They would probably have cut a sorry figure. Every year of their career, the grind had got harder. The tools of their trade, such as a coat hanger or 'slim jim' (a flat metal strip) for bypassing locks and strippers for manipulating ignition wires, had, slowly but surely, been rendered obsolete, thanks to improved security technology. Business had dried up.
Economist
19 minutes ago
- Economist
How thieves could break into your car
Britain | Manufacturers v thieves Photograph: Getty Images I MAGINE MEETING a seasoned British car thief in 2013. They would probably have cut a sorry figure. Every year of their career, the grind had got harder. The tools of their trade, such as a coat hanger or 'slim jim' (a flat metal strip) for bypassing locks and strippers for manipulating ignition wires, had, slowly but surely, been rendered obsolete, thanks to improved security technology. Business had dried up. Cars, phones, tractors: how high-end products are increasingly stolen to serve distant markets The truth will catch up with you, but will readers want to hear it? Football is becoming nerdier The rise of the revolutionary retiree Blame declining confidence, a lack of convenience and rising complacency
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Patriotism ‘always important' to Starmer, says No 10 amid flag row
Flags have been taken down in Tower Hamlets in east London as well as Birmingham. On Monday, St George's cross flags were pictured on the A1206 on the Isle of Dogs in the east of the capital, after campaigners attached them following an online movement called 'Operation Raise the Colours'. BirminghamLive also reported flags that have been flown in areas of the city have been removed by the local council. Asked what the Prime Minister's view is on the councils that have removed the flags, Sir Keir's official spokesman said on Monday: 'I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels. Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance Tower Hamlets Council 'I think he's talked about that previously […] not least recently in relation to the Lionesses' successful campaign in the Euros. 'Patriotism will always be an important thing to him.' Asked if Sir Keir is supportive of people who put up English flags, the spokesman said: 'Absolutely, patriotism, putting up English flags. 'We put up English flags all around Downing Street every time the English football team – women's and men's – are out trying to win games for us.' Residents saw Manchester Road in Tower Hamlets, east London, lined with St George's flags over the weekend but only a few remained by Monday. Walking along the busy inner city street on Monday lunchtime, one local resident who did not want to give his name said: 'They were all along the street, lots of them. It looked nice really. It was very colourful. 'I saw them late on Saturday. They just appeared and only noticed they have all gone now.' His neighbour said: 'They all went up at the weekend and have come down now.' She added that she did not feel threatened or scared, but it was definitely a 'very pointed act'. The local resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'It was right they should come down as I think it was after the demonstration about asylum.' She said 'it was not about community', adding that normally when you see flags go up it is around a celebration or about bringing people together. A St George's Cross flag near the A1206 in the Isle of Dogs (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'There was no noise or trouble about it. They just went up and I did not see anyone take them down.' She added: 'It was OK. I know a lot of people like it and it was bright.' Another resident said: 'It was all along the road. It was nice. There was nothing wrong with it. 'It went all along to the Britannia Hotel.' He added it was 'good to see' because 'so much today is about division and I am just proud of being English'. The Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf has been at the centre of protests over asylum seekers in recent weeks. Tower Hamlets Council said it has a 'policy setting out which flags are flown from council buildings and on which occasions'. In a statement, the council added: 'We are aware members of the public have been putting up St George flags on various structures. 'While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure. 'Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance.' A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: 'We proudly fly the Union flag outside the Council House every day and recognise the importance of the Union flag and flag of St George as symbols of national pride. 'Brummies are proud to be British and proud that this is a welcoming city celebrating many different cultures. 'When it comes to items attached to lamp posts, it is normal council procedure for these to be removed on a regular basis, in line with our health and safety obligations. 'As has always been the case, people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens, but we ask that they are not attached to street furniture.'
