Experts offer other options as UK government seeks to reduce numbers crossing in boats The government insists the way to reduce the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats is to prevent the vessels from leaving France in the first place or by intercepting the boats and returning those attempting to make a crossing. But humanitarian groups and refugee and asylum experts argue the way to reduce the number of attempted crossings is to offer alternative “safe and legal” routes to the UK to claim asylum. Related: Refugee families reunited in UK after rescue flight from Greece Related: Q&A: what’s the real story behind recent UK refugee arrivals? Continue reading...