France has taken decisive action against British activists attempting to disrupt migrant Channel crossings, banning ten individuals from entering the country. The French Interior Ministry confirmed the move on Wednesday, citing actions that threatened public order.
Activists Targeted Boats on French Coast
The bans were issued against members of the British right-wing group 'Raise the Colours'. The French authorities stated the activists were involved in searching for and destroying small boats along the coastline in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais regions. These vessels are frequently used by migrants attempting to reach the United Kingdom.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez referred the matter to local authorities, warning that the group's activities were "likely to cause serious disturbance to public order". The ministry did not immediately release the identities of the ten British nationals or specify the duration of the bans, which prohibit them from entering or staying in France.
‘Raise the Colours’ and ‘Operation Overlord’
The banned activists belong to the 'Raise the Colours' movement, which has publicised its actions on social media. An account named 'Raise the Colours Operation France' posted videos last year showing members on French beaches.
In one clip from November, an activist filmed himself slashing an inflatable boat buried in sand, declaring, "That is not going to England." In another, a man wades into the sea to shout at migrants boarding a dinghy, yelling, "You're not welcome in our country." The activist in the videos has elsewhere identified himself as Ryan Bridge.
The group claims it launched "Operation Overlord" – a reference to the WWII Normandy landings – due to failures by UK and French authorities to stop the crossings. A source for the group told The Telegraph this month that French efforts should focus on stopping migrant boats rather than their actions, adding, "I doubt this will stop the people who are trying to stop the crossings."
Broader Context of Channel Crossings
The French ban comes amid ongoing political tension over migrant crossings in the English Channel. According to Home Office figures confirmed on 1 January 2026, 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK via small boats in 2025. This is the second-highest annual figure on record, 9% below the 2022 peak of 45,774 but 13% higher than the 2024 total.
The data presents a challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who vowed to smash smuggling gangs. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised the government, stating, "Small boat crossings are the inevitable product of a system that guarantees entry and obstructs removal." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called Starmer's plan a "complete disaster".
Meanwhile, French aid organisations have condemned the activists. A coalition of nine groups, including L'Auberge des Migrants and Médecins du Monde, accused 'Raise the Colours' of "structured intimidation tactics" and criticised authorities for initially failing to act, saying such inaction "contribute[s] to normalising and encouraging violent and xenophobic practices".
