French becoming more effective in stopping small boat crossings

The UK-France Border Security deal agreed in April under the Starmer government, includes £501m over three years to strengthen operations in northern France and £161m for new approaches.

Previously the French authorities allowed most dinghies to head towards the UK once they had launched, because of the risk of intercepting them in deep water, while loaded with people.

The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France. The Home Office credits France with intercepting hundreds of potential crossings this summer using new tactics.

Footage released by French police shows officers racing across a beach in jeeps to intercept a launch. Once the boat is abandoned, an officer slashes it lengthways with a knife.

The UK government knows if it can prevent migrant boats getting into British waters, where the Border Force is legally obliged to pick them up, the incentive to try to cross will be reduced.

Experts say overcrowding in boats makes crossings riskier. At least 84 people died while attempting to cross the Channel in 2024, according to the United Nations (UN).

The Home Office said that since it struck a deal with France three months ago which included additional funding for authorities, 61% of small boats have been intercepted - a five per cent increase compared to last year.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'The only way we can stop the crossings is by having a proper deterrent. If people know they can stay in the UK, get put up in a hotel and claim benefits then they will keep risking these dangerous journeys.'

The Home Office credits France with intercepting hundreds of potential crossings this summer using new tactics.

French police tactics are becoming more effective in stopping small boats in the English Channel from reaching Britain, the Home Office has said.

It credits French authorities with intercepting 185 potential crossings involving 4,300 migrants this summer over four separate weeks, as well as stopping 12 boats at sea using new techniques.

Footage released by French police shows officers racing across a beach in jeeps to intercept a launch. Once the boat is abandoned, an officer slashes it lengthways with a knife.

The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France.

The Home Office credits France with intercepting hundreds of potential crossings this summer using new tactics.

French police tactics are becoming more effective in stopping small boats in the English Channel from reaching Britain, the Home Office has said.

It credits French authorities with intercepting 185 potential crossings involving 4,300 migrants this summer over four separate weeks, as well as stopping 12 boats at sea using new techniques.

Footage released by French police shows officers racing across a beach in jeeps to intercept a launch. Once the boat is abandoned, an officer slashes it lengthways with a knife.

The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France.

The French authorities have intercepted over 185 potential small boat crossings in the English Channel, with 12 boats stopped at sea using new techniques. This is a five per cent increase compared to last year.

Footage released by French police shows officers racing across a beach in jeeps to intercept a launch. Once the boat is abandoned, an officer slashes it lengthways with a knife.

The Home Office credits France with intercepting hundreds of potential crossings this summer using new tactics. The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France.

Experts say overcrowding in boats makes crossings riskier. At least 84 people died while attempting to cross the Channel in 2024, according to the United Nations (UN).

The Home Office said that since it struck a deal with France three months ago which included additional funding for authorities, 61% of small boats have been intercepted - a five per cent increase compared to last year.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'The only way we can stop the crossings is by having a proper deterrent. If people know they can stay in the UK, get put up in a hotel and claim benefits then they will keep risking these dangerous journeys.'

The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France.

French police tactics are becoming more effective in stopping small boats in the English Channel from reaching Britain, the Home Office has said. The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France.

The Home Office credits France with intercepting hundreds of potential crossings this summer using new tactics. French police tactics are becoming more effective in stopping small boats in the English Channel from reaching Britain, the Home Office has said.

Experts say overcrowding in boats makes crossings riskier. At least 84 people died while attempting to cross the Channel in 2024, according to the United Nations (UN).

The techniques being used have not been disclosed by the UK or France.