World News

Police crackdowns push Channel smugglers toward larger dinghies and daytime departures

A shortage of small boats leads smuggling networks in northern France to cooperate on larger vessels as crossing costs rise.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 05:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

Increased law enforcement interventions have depleted the supply of small boats used for English Channel crossings, prompting smuggling groups to collaborate and deploy larger vessels carrying hundreds of passengers.
The restricted boat supply has driven crossing fees up to €2,000 per person in cash and lengthened waiting times for migrants in northern France from days to months.
The UK and France plan to deploy more police along the French coastline as top leaders prepare for bilateral talks at Downing Street.

Intensified policing along the French coast has restricted the supply of small boats, leading rival smuggling gangs to cooperate and use larger vessels, including 15-meter dinghies holding over 200 people.[BBC News]
Smugglers have raised crossing fees to as much as €2,000 (£1,700) per person in cash, up from roughly €1,300 a year earlier.[BBC News]
French police report intercepting approximately two-thirds of small boats before they can depart from the coastline.[BBC News]
Smugglers are shifting tactics toward daytime launches and using taxi boats originating from farther away, including Belgium, to pick up groups along multiple coastal spots.[BBC News]
During reporting at a migrant camp in Loon-Plage, a smuggler threw rocks at a BBC news crew, injuring a cameraman who required stitches.[BBC News]
The British and French governments are announcing additional police deployments on French beaches ahead of a Downing Street meeting between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron.[BBC News]

It remains unclear how many additional larger vessels are actively being prepared by smuggling gangs or whether increased coastal policing will curb the total volume of crossings.[BBC News]