Channel smuggling gangs are resorting to “mega dinghies” as they run low on small boats amid a crackdown, an investigation has found. More of the larger boats are allegedly being prepared to ferry migrants illegally across the English Channel to the UK.
Record crossings on a single boat
It comes after a record 230 people made the journey on a single boat last month, breaking the previous record of 165 set in July. The number of small boats illegally reaching the UK has fallen in recent weeks, pushing smugglers to adopt new tactics. The combined total number of boat crossings over the summer months has dropped to its lowest since 2019.
A dwindling supply of small boats is seeing once rival criminal groups now working together by loading more migrants on fewer, larger vessels such as the so-called mega dinghy, a BBC investigation found. Gang members told BBC sources that others are being readied, heightening safety concerns.
Seizures and intercepts
On Tuesday, the Home Office said more than 1,100 boats and engines have been seized by the National Crime Agency and international partners in an attempt to disrupt the supply of the vehicles. The department added that joint action with the French authorities has prevented more than 48,000 crossing attempts since the election in 2024.
French police claim they are now intercepting two-thirds of small boats before they reach the coast, meaning there are fewer crossing opportunities. According to the BBC, migrants are now having to pay a higher price with gangs quoting up to €2,000 (£1,700) per person — up from about €1,300 a year ago.
Surge team deployment
It comes as Andy Burnham prepares to welcome Emmanuel Macron to Number 10 on Thursday for their first bilateral meeting. The Prime Minister and French President will admit beaches west of Calais need urgent reinforcements as smugglers shift to using mega dinghies.
A “surge team” of 45 officers will be deployed to cover areas such as Le Touquet, Berck, Le Tréport and Dieppe. Downing Street said this will triple the number of UK-funded officers in the area. People smugglers shifted some of their launch sites west after French police intensified patrols around Calais and Dunkirk.
