The Untold

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The Untold: Taking a Stand

Taking a Stand

BBC Radio 4 - The Untold, Taking a Stand

A wedding DJ takes a stand on refugees crossing the Channel and seeking asylum in the UK.

Wedding DJ Jeremy Davis decides that enough is enough when he hears about the increasing number of illegal sea crossings by migrants attempting to reach the UK and decides to act.

This edition of The Untold tracks the group formed by Jeremy Davis - Little Boats - which he hopes will force Government action to stem the rising number of dangerous sea crossings by those seeking asylum in the UK. Since the covid lockdown in March there have been record numbers making the journey by dinghy from France and the Midlands based wedding DJ decided he had to act.

He immerses himself in the growing movement of people protesting about the crossings and finds out what happens to those already here. Some of those he meets are angry that people are housed in hotels whilst their cases are being processed and he decides to investigate what's happening for himself. A recent Home Office decision to hold more than 400 in the Napier army barracks further inflames protestors, who complain that migrants can come and go as they please. They are furious at what they say is a lack of consultation over the plans.

Throughout these developments Jeremy Davis is finding his feet in this growing movement and he's keen to go on night patrol in a bid to gather information about the illegal crossings and those who behind them. As Border Force officers undertake rescues at sea Mr Davis is on hand with his Union Jack flags - his anger is visible as he looks on at the rescue efforts. And he's furious at what he says is Government inaction both here and in France, 

Throughout the dying days of summer the sea crossings continue, with more than 6,000 making the journey by the start of September. As Mr Davis and his Little Boats supporters count the arrivals they are also working out how to make their protests count. "Keyboard warriors don't get anywhere, demonstrations do nothing," says Mr Davis:  

"We do not want to be running around disrupting towns and cities but we are going to do a few things that ruffle feathers."

His website states: "We are covertly sending targeted patrols out into the Channel to engage and attempt to safely ward off undocumented illegal migrants in boats coming to our shores until the government finally act."

Producer: Sue Mitchell
Introduced by Grace Dent

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Life Stories

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