Belgian police have arrested a large number of people involved in cross-Channel smuggling operations. These gangs have been switching their operations from France to Belgium. The arrests include 40 suspected smugglers and over 360 migrants since January. The gangs are trying to avoid increased police patrols on French beaches. They are launching 'taxi boats' from West Flanders, south-west of Bruges. These boats carry UK-bound migrants. The Belgian police action is a response to the increased activity. In the previous two years, there were very few small boat launches from Belgium. However, in the first four months of 2026, police recorded 27 attempts, with five failing. The British government attributes the change to its partnership with Paris aimed at curbing illegal migration.