French navy officers refused to rescue 60 distressed migrants on a cramped boat filled with water in its  territory – and instead asked Border Force for help.

French officials spent hours this morning shadowing a packed migrant boat – mostly men – across the Channel, sparking extraordinary scenes.

But the situation quickly went awry, as they could be heard shouting and screaming ‘help’ and waving their hands at a nearby French navy boat.

Despite knowing the dinghy was full of water, the French authorities did not help or try and rescue them and instead radioed the UK Border Force.

The incident came as new figures show the total number migrants this year so far has already hit 3,224 – eight per cent higher than the same point last year which saw 2,983 migrants arrive in Dover.

That’s 26,466 since Keir Starmer took power – an average of 55 a day. 

Fours hours after the French Navy had began following a dinghy at 5.50am, around 1.3 miles away from the French coast, they radioed the UK Border Force about the distressed boat.

During the conversation on a public radio system – which can be listened to on any boat – one French official could be heard informing the British service that the boat was full of water and migrants were waving their hands.

One said: ‘Do you have a rib to clear the situation if possible?’

Border Force replied: ‘Regarding sending our rib into French water. If possible, it would be preferred if you could launch your rib in your side and if there is any distress, we will come into French waters.  But yeah, are you able to launch your rib over?’

The French did as requested and nine miles later handed over the migrants to a UK Border Force vessel, who were then returned to Dover. 

One witness said: ‘This was a complete taxi service. The French said these migrants were distressed and needed help. But it didn’t rescue them. Instead they asked Britain.

‘When Britain were not keen, the French simply escorted them into British water. It’s appalling.’

New figures show how the small boats crisis is deepening. 

In just the first four days of this month 1,168 migrants have made their way across the Channel, with 326 migrants in six boats making the perilous journey yesterday. 

This is the first recording of more than 1,000 arrivals in four days so far this year, according to Home Office data.

The total number migrants this year so far to 3,224 – eight percent higher than the same point last year and also nine per cent up on 2023 where 2,953 migrants crossing the Channel by this point. 

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.

‘The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.’

MailOnline has also contacted the the French Navy for comment. 

It comes after the French government was looking at lifting a ban on intercepting migrant boats at sea in an attempt to reduce illegal Channel border crossings. 

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called for a new approach that would allow the country’s forces to intercept boats even when they are already in the water.

The hardline minister is seeking to change the law to counter the new tactic of ‘taxi boats’ that pick up migrants directly in the water to avoid checks on the beaches.

The scheme sees the boats launched by people smugglers before migrants wade into the water and get on board in an effort to avoid being intercepted by the French.

At present the French cite safety concerns for not intervening once boats are afloat except for rescue operations, but this can see the perpetrators avoid arrest.

The ‘taxi boat’ tactic began after UK and French officials blocked a number of rivers leading to the Channel with floating dams, to stop small boats accessing the sea.

This is now the most popular method for launching small boat crossings from France – with fears numbers will increase as the weather improves, reported The Telegraph.

Mr Retailleau said: ‘We need to rethink our approach so that we can intercept the boats. We must be able to intercept them within 300 metres of the coast. 

‘They have a naval service, the gendarmerie, and they must be able to intervene in shallow waters.’

Mr Retailleau sought to present a united front during a visit by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper yesterday as they visited the resort of Le Touquet, a coast resort town in northern France that has faced high numbers of migrant crossings in recent years.

The talks saw France and Britain pledge to step up the fight against illegal Channel crossings and agreed to extend a key border security deal until 2027.

‘Our discussions are a little harsh when it comes to money,’ Mr Retailleau said at a joint press conference, but he quickly added: ‘We agree on the objectives and we always manage to come to an agreement in the end.’

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment upon operational matters.’

It is understood operational activity in response to migrant vessels in distress is directed and coordinated by HM Coastguard.