The UK and France are increasing police resources along the French coast in an effort to prevent people-smuggling gangs from launching increasingly large boats across the English Channel.

The measures come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to host French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street for their first bilateral meeting. Migration and Channel crossings are expected to be among the key issues discussed during the talks.

British officials say smugglers appear to be changing their tactics by placing larger numbers of people onto fewer, bigger vessels. Although the overall number of small-boat crossings during the summer has fallen to its lowest level since 2019, authorities warn that criminal networks are adapting to enforcement efforts.

As part of the latest response, a surge team of 45 UK officers will be deployed to beaches in western France in the coming weeks. The move will nearly triple the resources operating in the area.

A specialist French intelligence and judicial team targeting organised smuggling networks has also expanded from 18 to 30 officers, while a new 75-member unit dedicated to tackling Channel crossings has begun operating in northern France.

The latest deployment brings the total number of officers involved in efforts to prevent crossings in northern France to nearly 1,050.

Burnham said the reduction in crossings demonstrated what could be achieved through close cooperation between Britain and France, but warned that authorities could not become complacent.

He said smuggling networks were continually changing their methods and that both countries needed to respond quickly to stay ahead of those facilitating dangerous Channel journeys.

Beyond migration, Burnham and Macron are expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and Iran, as well as their wider consequences for European security and economic stability.

The meeting is also expected to focus on strengthening Britain's relationship with Europe. Burnham has indicated that he wants to build on the previous government's efforts to improve UK-EU relations.

During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Burnham said Britain's prolonged period of weak economic growth had been partly linked to Brexit and reiterated his support for a closer relationship with the European Union.

Macron is the first European leader to visit Britain since Burnham became prime minister in July.

The two leaders had already appeared alongside the King and Queen during a visit to London's British Museum to preview the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition.