France deploys extra riot police to stop Channel boat crossings
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 00:27 · Archive
France is doubling anti-riot police on its beaches to prevent small boat crossings to the UK, with over 50,000 attempts stopped since July 2024.
France is doubling its anti-riot police presence on the Channel coast to prevent small boats attempting to reach the UK. An additional 50 officers from the Compagnie Republicaine de Securite (CRS), France's main anti-riot unit, will be deployed, bringing the total specialist force to 100. They will be stationed on the coast until March 2027, with deployment focused on days when favourable weather and sea conditions make crossing attempts likely.
New data released by the UK Home Office shows that more than 50,000 crossing attempts have been prevented since the July 2024 general election. The provisional total for Channel crossings this year stands at 20,935. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the joint UK-French efforts are having a significant impact and that arrivals are down considerably.
Smuggling gangs have been launching dinghies from further west along the French coast in recent months to evade authorities concentrated around Calais. In recent weeks, boats have set off from areas such as Utah Beach in Normandy, marking a shift in launching points. The CRS officers will be equipped with specialist public order powers to prevent large groups gathering and boarding vessels.
How it is being reported
- France doubles riot police presence on northern beaches in latest bid to stop small boat crossingsFrance has doubled the number of riot police on northern beaches in its latest bid to stop small-boat crossings. The Home Office has confirmed that the number of police patrolling the country’s northern beaches has been doubled from 50 to 100. Additional officers from the Compagnie Républicaine de Sécurité (CRS), France’s main anti-riot unit, will be sent to the Channel coast until March 2027. They will be on standby for so-called red days, when favourable weather and sea conditions make crossing attempts highly likely. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say According to the Home Office, CRS…GB News · 14 Oct, 01:28
- More than 50,000 small boat crossings stopped as France deploys anti-riot policeHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood said UK-French measures to stop small boat crossings are having an impact as she welcomed new data showing 50,000 have been stopped since July 2024The Mirror · 14 Oct, 00:03
- French anti-riot police to patrol beaches to stop small boat crossings to UKNew data shows 50,000 UK crossing attempts stopped since 2024 electionThe Independent · 14 Oct, 00:01
In this story: France · UK · Shabana Mahmood · Calais · Compagnie Republicaine de Securite · Channel · Normandy
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