In a significant shift in cross-border policy, France is preparing to intercept small boats carrying migrants in the English Channel before they reach British waters. The move, confirmed by the UK Home Office, represents a notable change in how the two countries are responding to the sharp rise in illegal crossings. So far in 2025, more than 14,800 people have arrived in the UK via small boats, setting a new record and intensifying political pressure on both sides of the Channel.
Until now, French law has largely restricted intervention at sea, allowing authorities to act only on land or in life-threatening rescue scenarios. However, under this new plan, French officials may soon be authorized to intervene up to 300 meters from the coast. The change is aimed at stopping dangerous journeys before they get underway, though the exact legal and operational framework is still being worked out. Some local French officers have expressed reservations about the move, citing concerns about safety, legality, and potential backlash.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has welcomed the plan but stressed that more needs to be done. She called for an even tougher approach, including intercepting boats further inland, such as on rivers, and pushing for quicker deportations of those coming from countries deemed safe. Her comments reflect growing frustration over the pace of progress, despite multiple joint efforts between the UK and France to curb the rise in small boat arrivals.
Earlier this year, both governments agreed to create a new joint policing unit in Dunkirk to fast-track the arrest and prosecution of people-smugglers. Specialist enforcement teams have also been deployed, supported by expanded surveillance and drone coverage aimed at stopping smugglers before boats even hit the water.
Still, humanitarian groups warn that intercepting vessels at sea could increase risks for migrants, potentially leading to more dangerous and desperate attempts to cross. Smuggling networks, they say, will adapt quickly, pushing people onto even riskier routes. Critics argue that a focus on enforcement over protection could worsen the crisis rather than solve it.
As both nations prepare for this next phase of enforcement, the true test will be whether these actions reduce crossings without increasing harm. The outcome may set a new precedent for how Europe handles irregular migration in the years ahead.
