French Police Slash Migrant Inflatable Boat in Channel to Prevent Crossing

In a dramatic escalation of efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel, French police slashed an inflatable boat with knives while migrants were attempting to board it. This unprecedented action is seen as a precursor to a proposed change in France’s maritime law, which would grant authorities greater powers to stop migrant crossings.

According to The Times, the incident occurred early in the morning, leading to chaotic scenes as police intervened to prevent the migrants from setting off. The proposed legal change would allow officers from the “Compagnie de Marche” special police unit to enter shallow waters to stop migrant boats from crossing the Channel.

A source familiar with the tactics told The Times that police officers are “preparing for this change,” with the special unit finalizing guidelines on how to implement the new law effectively.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Bruno Retaailleau are expected to present these tactics at the upcoming UK-France summit next week, with plans to implement them later this month.

UK Minister Welcomes the Move
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, welcomed the new strategy, calling it a “different approach.” She stated, “It’s a welcome move for them to act in shallow waters, but we want to see broader action.”

According to The Times, a record 20,600 migrants have arrived in the UK via small boats in 2025, marking a 51% increase compared to the previous year.