Lone children held at UK-run detention centres in France 284 times last year
UK-run Detention Centers in France Detain 284 Lone Children in 2025
Lone children held at UK run detention - In 2025, 284 unaccompanied minors were detained at UK-managed facilities in France, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act. This number, revealed by The Guardian, marks a significant continuation of the UK’s use of temporary immigration holding sites in French regions such as Calais and Dunkirk. The total cases involving children in these facilities since 2021 have reached 900, with the 2025 figure representing a 10% increase from the previous year. The data underscores the UK’s reliance on these centers for handling minors, raising questions about transparency and child welfare standards.
Rising Numbers and Operational Context
The latest figures highlight a steady trend in the detention of lone children at UK-run sites in France. While these facilities are designed for short-term use—typically less than a day—the frequency of child detentions suggests a broader application. The 284 cases reported in 2025 reflect a 10% rise from 2024, with the previous year showing a 197% increase compared to 2023. Despite this, the overall number of detentions in 2025 stood at 7,454, down from 9,736 in 2024 and 8,302 in 2023. The UK government maintains that such detentions are reserved for cases with clear safeguarding risks, but critics argue this may not always be the case.
Accusations of Inadequate Safeguards
Refugee organizations have raised concerns about the conditions and procedures in UK-run detention centers, particularly for minors. The lack of published data on child detentions has fueled accusations of secrecy, with NGOs describing the facilities as “legal and procedural grey zones.” Last year, two vulnerable child detainees were re-trafficked after authorities failed to locate their safeguarding records, a situation that has intensified scrutiny. One case involved a 14-year-old girl found inside a holdall in a car, alongside a 16-year-old boy with a documented history of abuse and trafficking. Both were later detained in the UK, sparking fears of exploitation.
“The UK’s use of detention centers in France has exposed children to additional risks, especially when they are separated from their families and held in unsuitable environments,” said Kama Petruczenko, a policy analyst at the Refugee Council. “We must ensure these children are prioritized in protection efforts, not treated as part of a larger immigration strategy.”
The Home Office has defended its approach, stating that detentions are justified when there is a clear threat to a child’s safety. However, the repeated use of these facilities for unaccompanied minors has led to calls for clearer criteria and more oversight in the UK’s border operations.
Legal Dispute Over New Facility
A new UK-funded detention center in Dunkirk has become the subject of a legal challenge, with the Flemish-Artois Coastal Environmental Defence Assembly (Adelfa) demanding its permit be revoked. The £660m project, launched last month, was meant to address migrant crossings via small boats, but critics argue it could exacerbate the situation for children. The facility, still under construction, is set to be completed by autumn, yet its potential impact on vulnerable populations remains a point of contention among activists and local officials.
Impact on Child Welfare
The rise in child detentions at UK-run sites in France has drawn attention to the long-term effects on minors. Advocates warn that repeated exposure to detention environments can lead to psychological distress, with some cases showing children being separated from caregivers for extended periods. The 2025 data also includes instances where children were detained in warehouses, raising concerns about their living conditions and access to support services. These incidents have fueled demands for an independent review of the UK’s child detention practices abroad.
“When children are detained in UK-run centers, their needs must be central to the process,” emphasized Charlie Taylor, chief inspector of prisons. “The current system appears to prioritize efficiency over the well-being of minors, especially when they are already navigating traumatic journeys.”
The Home Office insists that these detentions are necessary to prevent children from being used as tools in smuggling networks. However, the cumulative data from 2021 to 2025 suggests that the policy is being applied more frequently, with 900 cases of child detention recorded across four years. This has prompted renewed debates about the UK’s role in protecting minors within its international border strategy.