Footage shows French police clashing with people on beach as they try to leave in small boat
Footage has emerged showing French police using force to intercept migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats. This comes as the UK and France implement a new multi-million pound deal aimed at curbing illegal crossings.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian and political tensions surrounding migration policies and the enforcement tactics used at European borders.
French police slash small boat as migrants clash with officers Immigration and asylum Footage shows French police clashing with people on beach as they try to leave in small boat Film emerges as France says it has prevented 185 ‘small boat crossing events’ in three months since new £660m deal with UK
Prefer the Guardian on Google Footage has captured the moment French police officers clashed with people on a beach in northern France as the authorities attempted to intercept a dinghy attempting to reach the UK.
Men wearing lifejackets appear to throw objects at the police to try to keep them away from their dinghy. The officers then use Pava spray before slashing the inflatable boat with a knife.
The footage has emerged as the French government said it has prevented 185 “small boat crossing events” in the three months since a new £660m UK-France deal.
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