French Police Clash with Migrants Attempting to Cross to the UK
Police used tear gas against migrants and punctured an inflatable boat. France claims to have thwarted 185 departure attempts in three months. Aid organizations warn that police activity increases the risk to the lives of asylum seekers.
Documented footage shows a confrontation between French police and individuals on a beach in northern France as authorities attempted to prevent a small boat from departing towards the UK. In the video, men wearing life jackets are seen throwing objects at the police, apparently in an attempt to keep them away from the inflatable boat. In response, police used tear gas and subsequently cut the boat with a knife. This occurs against the backdrop of an announcement by the French government that in the three months since a new agreement was signed with the UK, worth 660 million pounds, 185 "small boat crossing incidents" have been thwarted.
The term "small boat incident" includes preventing the departure of vessels, confiscating equipment—including boats, engines, and life jackets—as well as arresting smugglers.
Since the signing of the agreement in April, additional police units have been stationed on the French coast, including a riot control force of 50 officers. According to the British Home Office, police activity includes interceptions on beaches and at sea.
Since March, 12 "taxi boats" have been intercepted while attempting to move along the coast to pick up additional migrants. Additional resources have also been allocated to confiscating boats and engines before they can be used to cross the channel.
According to the report, smuggling gangs have apparently changed their methods, placing a larger number of people on each boat. Earlier this month, a record was set when 230 people crossed the channel in a single vessel. The British government emphasizes that the number of successful crossings is declining. Since the beginning of the year, 15,897 migrants have crossed the channel—a decrease of 43% compared to the same period last year and an 18% decrease compared to the same point in 2024. However, charities warn that the increase in French police activity is endangering the lives of asylum seekers.
The organization Utopia 56, which previously collected testimonies regarding the use of 35 tear gas canisters by riot police near Dunkirk against migrants attempting to reach a boat, warned that police pressure on the beaches is endangering more people.
The Reform UK party proposed using the British Royal Navy to intercept migrants and transfer them back to France or Belgium, describing the plan as a humanitarian response. France rejected the proposal, claiming it would constitute a violation of French sovereignty as well as maritime and international law.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the new agreement between the UK and France is already having a practical effect by preventing crossings and disrupting the activities of the criminal gangs behind them.
According to Border Security Commander Charlie Eastaugh, cooperation between the countries is stronger than ever. He stated that French police are operating in difficult and dangerous conditions to prevent boats from leaving, confiscate equipment, disperse large groups of migrants, and save thousands of people at sea. He added that joint efforts are yielding results, and the goal remains to restore border control and damage the smugglers' operations.
