Britain and France have signed an agreement worth 72.2 million euros for the coming year to step up efforts to prevent dangerous illegal migrants from crossing the English Channel.

More than 40,000 people crossed the English Channel in small boats this year, up from 28,526 last year, prompting Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman to do more to stem the flow.

It is in the interests of the British and French governments to work together to solve this complex problem, Braverman said in a statement after meeting with French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

There are no quick fixes, but this new arrangement will mean that we can significantly increase the number of French gendarmes patrolling beaches in northern France and ensure that British and French officers work hand in hand to stop smugglers, he said.

The British government has said that as a result of the deal, the number of British-funded officers patrolling French beaches will increase by 40 percent in the coming months.

British officers will also, for the first time, be stationed at French-led control points to improve coordination and information sharing.

The agreement will strengthen port security by funding investments in surveillance technology, drones, search dogs, video surveillance and helicopters to help detect and prevent crossings, and support migrant reception and expulsion centers in France.