French Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Hundreds of Migrants Boarding UK-Bound Boats

French police have recently adopted more aggressive tactics to prevent migrants from boarding small boats bound for the UK, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and physical interventions by officers wading into the Channel waters near Gravelines. This marks a shift from previous approaches where police largely observed without intervening, citing safety concerns for migrants, many of whom are children. Despite these efforts, police have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of migrants attempting crossings, which have reached record levels in 2025 with over 15,000 arrivals so far, a 32% increase from the previous year. The UK government has responded by increasing funding for the Border Security Command and implementing tougher legislation and international cooperation to dismantle people-smuggling networks. Meanwhile, French authorities have agreed to revise maritime enforcement policies to allow more active interventions while respecting maritime law. People smugglers have adapted by launching multiple small boats simultaneously to evade police, complicating efforts to curb the dangerous Channel crossings.