Gendarmes use a knife to puncture and deflate the dinghy.
For years, the United Kingdom has been financially supporting France to combat the small-boat crossings to the British Isles.
However, the effectiveness of French efforts has been underwhelming.
On the 20th, a police operation targeted the launch of one such ‘water taxi,’ sparking hopes for a more assertive enforcement strategy in the Channel.
The challenge is significant, as captured footage shows migrants attacking police officers as they try to intercept a boat launch.
Footage released by the UK’s Border Security Command shows migrants clashing with police on a beach in northern France, with an officer slashing a small boat with a knife.
Sky’s @joncraig looks at the context behind the incident.
Read more: https://t.co/U9z4DwhLro pic.twitter.com/OrOv2mYpMu
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 20, 2026
The Telegraph reported:
“The video shows migrants wearing life jackets appearing to throw objects at the police to try to keep them away from their dinghy.
The officers then use Pava spray before slashing the inflatable boat with a knife.”
The truth about illegal immigration across the Channel.
This summer, I investigated what’s actually happening on the French coast and in the Channel.
I watched French police stand by as migrants boarded a dinghy, and was told, “Our order is to let them go.”
Later at sea, a… pic.twitter.com/GX8S0d2Y2u
— Chris Philp MP (@CPhilpOfficial) August 19, 2026
British border authorities view this as a sign of a new, ‘bold’ approach to halting the boats, increasing pressure on smuggling networks to stop the crossings.
“French police say they have boarded 12 migrant ‘taxi boats’ in their first interceptions at sea since the UK signed a new £662m [$902 million] deal to tackle small boat crossings.
The French have previously resisted intervening at sea because of the risk to life.”
Read more:
230 Migrants Cross the Channel Into the UK in a Single Giant Inflatable Boat
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