British cutters should patrol the Channel in French waters and return all migrants back to France before they get anywhere near Britain, say two former heads of the Home Office’s immigration service.

The two former top officials say the current approach where the Border Force cutters bring the migrants back to Britain after they reach British waters is failing to deter the increasing numbers seeking to make the hazardous crossing.

There have even been cases where the migrants have reached halfway, often in flimsy dinghies, before calling the British coastguards so they can be rescued and brought to the UK.

“If Border force cutters are to continue to be deployed, is it not logical that they should operate in French waters and having made an interception immediately return individuals to France?” said Peter Higgins, former head of the Immigration Service with 40 years service including in customs.

“If the French are serious about solving this problem, they would not be averse to the UK cutters operating in French waters. Why is this not being done?