Belgian authorities have launched a significant crackdown on small boat smuggling gangs, resulting in the arrest of dozens of suspects and hundreds of migrants. This action comes as criminal networks adapt their operations, shifting focus from France to Belgium.

Operations Shift Due to Increased French Patrols

The change in tactics follows increased police patrols along the French coast, prompting smugglers to seek alternative routes. Both British and French officials have strengthened their cooperation to combat illegal migration across the English Channel.

Rise in 'Taxi Boat' Launches from West Flanders

Criminal networks are now attempting to evade heightened French law enforcement by launching so-called ‘taxi boats’ from West Flanders, a region southwest of Bruges. These boats transport migrants from Belgium, as well as those picked up from coastal areas in northern France, including Dunkirk and Calais.

Belgian Response: Arrests and Increased Patrols

Belgian authorities have responded with unprecedented force, arresting 40 suspected smugglers and over 360 migrants since the beginning of the year. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years.

Dramatic Increase in Attempted Crossings

A spokesperson for the Federale Politie noted that attempted crossings from Belgium were negligible – between zero and one per year – in 2024 and 2025. However, in the first four months of 2026 alone, authorities recorded 27 attempted crossings, with an additional five failures.

Belgian police have increased patrols and launched public awareness campaigns to encourage reporting of suspicious activity. They are also maintaining strong intelligence-sharing partnerships with law enforcement agencies in France, Germany, and the UK, including the UK’s National Crime Agency.

Arrest Trends and International Cooperation

While arrests at ports like Zeebrugge have declined due to enhanced security, the shift to small boat smuggling has led to a rise in apprehensions along the coast. Arrests of migrants totaled 4,238 in 2020 and 3,458 in 2021, dropping to 352 in 2025, before rising again to 364 by mid-2026.

The Belgian Immigration Office confirmed the increase is linked to the shift in migration routes. Last month, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced 480 smugglers were arrested in 2025 under a new three-year Anglo-French agreement.

Skepticism Remains Regarding Long-Term Effectiveness

Alp Mehmet, former British diplomat and chairman of Migration Watch UK, expressed doubt about the effectiveness of current measures, suggesting that detention and swift removal of illegal arrivals are the only real deterrents.

Authorities on both sides of the Channel remain vigilant and determined to disrupt criminal operations while addressing the challenges of illegal migration.