France intercepted 10 small boats in Channel since spring, officials say

French authorities have actively intervened to stop small boats carrying asylum seekers in the English Channel on 10 occasions since the spring, officials confirmed Friday. This action directly challenges assertions from Conservative and Reform party figures in the UK who claimed French authorities were refusing to intervene. Maritime Prefect officers have employed "intervention tactics," boarding or controlling vessels at sea to return asylum seekers to France.

The disclosures emerge as political parties in the UK intensify their focus on the issue of small boat crossings during the summer months. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, recently shared footage of a French officer stating their order was to "let them go" and to tell them "Don't do that. It's dangerous." Reform MP Lee Anderson also visited Calais, asserting that French police were "literally waving these people on to boats."

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Our order is to let them go. We just have to say to them, ‘Don’t do that. It’s dangerous.’

Charlie Eastaugh, director of maritime and small boats at Border Security Command, offered a different perspective, emphasizing the "tireless" work of French officers in disrupting launches before they reach UK shores. He noted their efforts include confronting individuals with weapons, dispersing crowds, arresting smugglers, and gathering evidence for prosecutions. Officials stated that every confrontation is assessed by commanders and officers, balancing their safety with that of the public, including agitated groups and gang members.

Overall, small boat crossings to the UK have decreased by 43% between January and mid-July this year compared to 2025. UK officials attribute this decline, in part, to government initiatives that have provided an additional £660 million to French authorities since April, disrupting the business model of people smugglers. However, criminal gangs are adapting, spreading their launch points further along the coast, including from Belgium and as far south as Dieppe, increasing the journey distance to the UK.

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I know personally how tirelessly French officers have been working to disrupt launches before they reach UK shores. Their efforts include facing violent people with weapons, dispersing huge crowds, arresting smugglers, seizing equipment and collating vital evidence to help our prosecutions.