French Police's New Tactics to Stop Channel Crossings Could Lead to More Deaths, Charity Warns

Plans by French police to enter the sea to intercept small boats carrying UK-bound asylum seekers will result in more fatalities and face legal challenges in European courts, a French charity has warned.

Arthur Dos Santos, coordinator of refugee charity Utopia 56, said the move would push desperate migrants to take even greater risks to reach Britain. The Calais-based organization is exploring legal avenues to block the controversial tactics.

According to government sources, French police will soon be authorized to intervene within 300 meters of the shore and in nearby waterways. The strategy is expected to be finalized ahead of the Franco-British summit on 8 July, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to London.

In recent days, French officers have been seen wading into the sea, using riot shields, batons, and even CS gas to prevent asylum seekers from boarding boats—raising concerns that the new approach is already being tested.

"This Will Not Stop Them—It Will Make Crossings More Dangerous"

Dos Santos warned that the aggressive tactics would lead to more drownings as people try to evade capture. "When police enter the sea, it will cause more deaths," he said. "People will panic, some may fight back, and those determined to reach England will find even riskier routes. This won’t stop crossings—it will only make them deadlier."

Currently, French police are restricted from intervening offshore unless rescuing distressed passengers. The new measures would allow them to actively prevent dinghies from departing beaches.

Legal Challenges Ahead

Utopia 56 and other organizations are preparing to challenge the policy in European courts, citing human rights laws and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

British charity Care4Calais has also pledged legal action. CEO Steve Smith said, "When the last Tory government attempted Channel pushbacks, we successfully challenged them in court. The same resistance will apply here."

Rising Death Toll in the Channel

In 2024, 73 people died attempting the crossing—more than the previous six years combined. So far in 2025, nine fatalities have been reported.

Home Office figures show nearly 17,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats this year, surpassing numbers from the same period in 2022, the worst year on record. Downing Street has admitted the situation is "deteriorating."

Even French police unions have expressed concerns, fearing officers could face legal repercussions if deaths occur during interventions.

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