French police in £660m deal with UK authorised to use water cannon on asylum seekers

Refugee charity says decision to let officers request the devices as part of public order powers is sickening'

French riot police deployed in northern France under a 660m deal with the UK are authorised to use water cannon against asylum seekers, the Guardian has been told.

Two specialist policing units, including a 50-officer riot squad, have begun working to prevent asylum seekers and people smugglers from launching small boats under the UK-France deal in time for the summer months.