Footage has emerged showing the moment French police officers came under attack from migrants as they moved to intercept the launch of a vessel. The clip shows migrants dressed in life jackets apparently hurling objects at officers in a bid to prevent them from approaching their dinghy. The officers responded by using Pava spray before puncturing the inflatable boat with a knife.
Increased police presence on French beaches
French police patrolling the northern coastline have adopted an increasingly assertive stance towards blocking crossing attempts over recent months. Officers prevented 185 "small boat crossing events" in the three months following the new UK-France agreement – defined as halting launches, confiscating equipment including boats, engines and lifejackets, and detaining smugglers.
Since the deal was signed in April, additional police units have been deployed on French beaches, including a 50-person riot squad. Police operations have encompassed interceptions both on beaches and at sea, according to the Home Office. Since March, 12 so-called "taxi boats" have been stopped from travelling further along the coast to take on additional migrants. Greater resources have also been directed towards seizing boats and engines before they can be deployed in the Channel.
Smuggling networks adapt methods
Smuggling networks appear to have adapted their methods, with larger numbers of people now being loaded onto individual vessels. Earlier this month, a record 230 people completed the crossing aboard a single boat.
Ministers are eager to emphasise that the number of successful crossings is declining. A total of 15,897 migrants have made the Channel crossing so far this year, representing a 43% decline on the same period last year, and an 18% reduction compared with the equivalent point in 2024.
Political responses and legal concerns
Reform UK has put forward a proposal to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept migrants and return them to France or Belgium, framing the scheme as a humanitarian measure. However, France has stated the plan "would be a violation of French sovereignty as well as a violation of maritime law and international law".
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "Our new UK-France deal is already having a real impact, stopping crossings before they happen and disrupting the criminal gangs behind them. People smugglers should be in no doubt, we're taking down their operations, seizing their equipment and breaking their business model for good. Through our joint work with France, we have stopped over 47,000 small boat crossing attempts since the election and we will not let up."
Border Security Command's Charlie Eastaugh said: "Our partnership with France is stronger than ever. Together, we are piling the pressure on the criminal gangs and preventing these illegal and dangerous crossings. French officers are not shy in taking bold action to prevent these launches where it is safe and lawful to do so. They work in difficult and dangerous conditions to stop boats launching, seize equipment and disperse large migrant groups as well as saving thousands of lives at sea. Our joint efforts are delivering results, and we will go further still to restore control of our borders and put these smugglers out of business."
