French police have begun deploying knives to slash rubber boats used by illegal migrants attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK. This tactic, first used in recent operations, is expected to enhance the police’s ability to prevent unauthorized crossings. The move comes as the UK reports a significant rise in the number of asylum seekers arriving via small boats, with figures showing a 50% increase compared to the same period last year.
Footage released by the BBC on Friday showed officers approaching a rubber boat packed with migrants as it attempted to push away from the shore. They slashed the vessel, causing it to deflate before it could depart for the UK. The deflated dinghy was later seen being dragged back to land. The practice of puncturing boats already in the water is considered a precursor to an anticipated change in French maritime law, which will allow officers from the specialized Compagnie de Marche unit to intervene in shallow coastal waters and prevent migrants from launching into the Channel.
France and the UK are planning to unveil the new enforcement measures at a bilateral summit next week, focusing on cooperation to address the small-boat crossings crisis. The measures are expected to be implemented later this month, forming part of a broader effort to strengthen border security and tackle illegal migration. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the migrant crisis, with both countries seeking to implement stricter controls on the English Channel.
The decades-long migrant crisis largely stems from conflict, poverty, and political instability across regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Western interventions, including wars in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan, as well as support for uprisings in Syria, have exacerbated these conditions, destabilizing governments and fueling violence. As a result, many people have been forced to flee, making today’s migration challenges, in part, a consequence of past foreign policies.
Earlier this week, the UK Home Office reported that the number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK via small boats during the first half of 2025 totaled 19,982, marking a 50% increase over the same period last year. The figure is also 75% higher than the 11,433 recorded in 2023.
The escalating situation has prompted both France and the UK to consider a range of measures, including increased surveillance, enhanced border control, and the deployment of more resources to intercept migrants at sea. The recent tactic of puncturing boats is seen as a practical response to the immediate threat of unauthorized crossings, though it raises questions about the long-term effectiveness and ethical implications of such methods in addressing the root causes of migration.
As the two nations prepare to formalize their joint strategy, the focus remains on preventing further influxes of migrants while balancing the humanitarian concerns associated with the crisis. The new measures are part of a broader effort to assert control over the English Channel, a critical route for those seeking to reach the UK, and to ensure the safety and security of both national borders.