France, Britain agree to stop migrant flow

French and British interior ministers on Thursday agreed to toughen security at the French port city of Calais to stop illegal migrants trying to cross into Britain.

During a visit to the northern French town where about 3,000 migrants are camping out, Bernard Cazeneuve and his British counterpart Theresa May announced the creation of a joint crisis centre "to find and dismantle the organised criminals who try to smuggle migrants to northern France and across the Channel tunnel", Xinhua news agency reported.

Under the accord, France and Britain also pledged to deploy more police officers at the entrance and around the tunnel to abort eventual attempts to get into Britain.

Meanwhile, Britain is to provide 10 million euros ($12 million) over two years to finance the setting up of further fences, additional cameras, and other equipment to ensure the security of the zone.

Both sides pledged to boost humanitarian aid by offering houses and support to the most vulnerable migrants, mainly women and children, to avoid being exploited.

"French and British governments have been working for months to address the issue of migrants in Calais and Coquelles. We have already taken some measures that have begun to improve the situation, but the work must continue," said May.

Thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East have fled war and poverty in their native countries with the hopes of seeking a better life in Europe.

They risk their lives by trying to board lorries and trains heading to Britain.

Since June, nine migrants have died while trying to cross into English territory.