Yvette Cooper and Bruno Retailleau in France (Image: Getty)
has agreed to lift the longstanding ban on police intercepting , in a bid to curb the rising number of hazardous Channel crossings to the UK.
The significant shift in policy – welcomed by Home Secretary – comes after increasing pressure to tackle people-smuggling gangs operating along the northern French coastline.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, confirmed on Thursday that the Government would seek to change the law to allow French authorities to intervene against migrant boats in shallow waters, marking a major departure from current regulations.
Under the existing rule, French police are prohibited from stopping boats once they are launched, leaving them powerless to intervene until they are already at sea.
This change comes amid growing concerns about the number of small boats attempting the perilous journey across the Channel.
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Yvette Cooper alongside Bruno Retailleau (Image: Getty)
There have over 2,000 crossings so far this year, continuing the trend of high numbers witnessed in 2024, which saw more than 45,000 crossings – setting a new record.
The French Government’s decision to change the law follows a series of meetings between Ms Cooper and Mr Retailleau, with both sides agreeing that stronger enforcement measures were needed to disrupt the illegal crossings.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Retailleau said: “We need to rethink our approach so that we can intercept the boats.
“We must be able to intercept them within 300 metres of the coast. They have a naval service, the gendarmerie, and they must be able to intervene in shallow waters.”
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He also proposed restoring the offence of “illegal stay” in France, which would enable authorities to arrest migrants and smugglers before they set off.
The new policy could be crucial in addressing the growing use of “taxi boats” by people-smuggling gangs.
The tactic has become particularly prevalent since the UK and France blocked access to several rivers leading to the Channel using floating dams, making the beaches the main point of departure for migrants.
Ms Cooper said: “Criminal smuggler gangs are running an appalling and dangerous trade in people, undermining UK and French border security, causing huge damage and putting lives at risk.
Barriers preventing migrant boat launches in France (Image: Getty)
“The gangs operate across borders, so law enforcement needs to operate across borders too. That is why our joint work with France is so important, and we are strengthening our cooperation with new specialist enforcement teams to go after these dangerous gangs.”
The cooperation between the UK and France has intensified, with the two countries agreeing to allocate additional funding to increase enforcement along the French coastline.
Part of the £7 million funding will go towards creating a new unit of 12 detectives stationed in Dunkirk, working to crack down on smugglers.
The initiative will be supported by a new group of specialist enforcement officers, with more drone operators to track illegal crossings.