The country intercepted more than 400 people attempting to cross the Channel so far this year, up from none in the whole of 2025, according to government figures in what local officials say is a spillover from neighbouring France, following a crackdown there. "France has become stricter" toward migrants, said Jean-Marie Dedecker, mayor of the seaside town of Middelkerke. "And when France gets stricter, they
Belgium worries as migrant crossings to Britain rise
