People smugglers are using new 'mega dinghies' packed with more than 100 people, raking in over £300,000 per crossing as they shift tactics again. New intelligence seen by the Daily Express states that the Home Office believes there is 'evidence' that France is becoming a 'less viable launch point'. Frontline officials also believe 'we are in a vastly better place than 18 months ago'.
Some 165 people were detected on a single dinghy last week. The criminal gangs have spread further south, regularly launching from beaches in Dieppe, and a crossing attempt has also been detected in Fecamp. Warships are now regularly spotted patrolling a 70-mile stretch of water between Dieppe and Le Touquet, reflecting growing fears that smugglers are expanding their footprint as demand remains high.
Smugglers' Tactics and Official Warnings
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been warned: 'Smugglers have changed tactics to include multiple simultaneous launches to overwhelm French law enforcement capacity, resorting to violence at departure sites and the use of taxi boats.' These taxi-boats are carrying record numbers of people on each crossing.
National Crime Agency deputy director Dan Cannatella-Barcroft said: 'Crime groups involved in Channel small boat crossings are using ever more dangerous and unseaworthy boats, callously overcrowding them for profit while increasing the risk to life.' He added: 'We know that many of these vessels are manufactured in Europe or Asia, where they are made specifically for the use of people smugglers. Boats and engines are transported across the European continent, ultimately to the French or Belgian coast. There is no other commercial use for these types of boats.'
'We assess that our activity with European partners is having an impact on boat and engine supply, making it more difficult and costlier for OCGs to source equipment. We know the price of equipment has increased, and OCGs have changed the routes and methods they have used to transport equipment in response to law enforcement activity.'
Border Security Progress
Border security commander Duncan Capps told Ms Mahmood this month: 'We are in a vastly better place than 18 months ago.' He added: 'As of June 2026, the number of migrants reaching the UK by small boat is down by 41% (year-to-date compared to 2025). This number of small boat arrivals is the lowest at this point in the year since 2023. Record disruptions, arrests and seizures are ramping up pressure on OCGs across their operating model, with the NCA alone leading over 100 operations targeting OIC networks. But we are still cautious.'
Key to Mr Capps' analysis are internal Home Office assessments suggesting criminal gangs are struggling to routinely launch in northern France. The assessment states: 'There is moderate evidence that the border security system has contributed to making France a less viable launch point for small boat crossings to the UK. French-led prevention efforts consistently intercept around a third of attempted crossings in recent years, even as overall attempt volumes remain high. While OCGs have adapted their tactics, the sustained level of interdiction indicates a robust prevention effort in the face of evolving methods.'
Criticism from Reform
Reform UK's Zia Yusuf blasted: 'We've just seen unbelievable footage of French border police literally assisting illegal migrants across the Channel, literally handing them life jackets. What makes it utterly outrageous is that the Tories had sent almost £800million to the French to stop the boats. Now, Labour have renewed that deal and continue to send hundreds of millions of pounds to supposedly stop the boats. We're going to end the invasion. We're going to stop the boats.'
