British far-right activists have significantly escalated a campaign of harassment and intimidation against asylum seekers in northern France, with aid groups warning that hostile rhetoric in mainstream UK politics has emboldened extremists.
Graffiti, Vandalism and Direct Confrontation
Not far from a migrant camp in Dunkirk, chilling graffiti has appeared, including a hangman's noose next to the word "migrant" and a Jewish Star of David surrounded by red swastikas. The French support group Utopia 56, which shared the image on Christmas Day, stated it was a direct result of normalising extreme-right discourse.
This follows a marked increase in activity on French soil by British far-right figures over the last 18 months. Activists have been filmed harassing asylum seekers in their sleeping spaces, slashing dinghies, and vandalising essential water supplies. Lachlan Macrae of the Calais Food Collective reported finding water containers stabbed or contaminated with soap. "The reason why they're coming out and doing this stuff is because they're emboldened," he said.
The Rise of Organised Anti-Migrant Missions
The phenomenon intensified in the summer of 2024 with appearances by figures like Alan Leggett, who calls himself 'Active Patriot'. It was followed by activists from the far-right UK Independence Party (Ukip), including its leader Nick Tenconi, who confronted Sudanese asylum seekers in Calais.
In November, the Birmingham-based group Raise the Colours launched 'Operation Overlord', a series of trips to France to "stop the boats". Daniel Thomas, a key figure at the time, said the mission was "for our grandfathers, for our families and above all for our children". The group circulated appeals for military-style equipment including stab-proof vests, drones, and encrypted radios.
Recently, Thomas and Raise the Colours parted ways. Thomas continues his activities under the 'Operation Overlord' name, while the group has rebranded its French operations 'Operation Stop the Boats'. This split suggests a new rivalry within the UK far-right, potentially increasing headaches for French authorities.
Limited Impact on Crossings and French Response
Despite the campaigns of intimidation, there is no evidence they have deterred Channel crossings. More than 41,000 people crossed in 2025, the second-highest annual figure since 2018. Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, called the harassment "appalling" but said it was achieving nothing beyond gathering social media views.
In a recent response, France's interior ministry banned 10 unnamed far-right activists linked to Raise the Colours from French soil. However, the group claims to have recruited 22,000 supporters, raising questions about the ban's effectiveness. The UK Home Office declined to comment on whether British authorities are taking action, instead highlighting its joint work with France to stop crossings.
As the weather improves, crossings are expected to rise. With Ukip still fundraising for its "border protection force" and Thomas planning to deploy small teams to France on 24 January, the situation remains volatile. The normalisation of extreme rhetoric, aid groups argue, has unleashed a visible and unapologetic hatred on the ground in northern France.
