French Authorities Begin Interception of Migrant 'Taxi-Boats' in the Channel

Wed Jan 21 2026 14:40:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A landmark operation by French officials marks the start of on-water interventions aimed at curbing illegal migrant crossings to the UK, representing a significant shift in tactics.

In an unprecedented move, French authorities have executed their first maritime interception targeting 'taxi-boats' used for transporting migrants attempting to cross to the UK. This change, prompted by increased pressure from the UK government, follows a strategic shift agreed upon last year. The operation took place on the Aa canal, where police boarded an inflatable boat suspected of preparing to collect migrants. With a previously successful directive showing high effectiveness, this initiative marks a new chapter in the ongoing battle against human smuggling in the English Channel.

French officials have made their first interception on the water as part of a new policy aimed at stopping small boats carrying illegal migrants to the UK.

A so-called 'taxi-boat' was boarded by French officers on Saturday on the Aa canal in Gravelines, which is on the Channel coast above Calais.

This follows a change of tactics agreed in November after growing pressure from the UK government to step up interventions.

A photograph of the aftermath of the operation obtained by the BBC shows a number of men - apparently people-smugglers - on an inflatable dinghy with the police launch alongside it. The inflatable was then towed to the dockside.

The French maritime prefecture declined to comment to the BBC, citing an 'ongoing judicial investigation' regarding the small boat.

France agreed to the new tactics at a summit in the UK last July between President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer. Previously, French police had only intervened to stop small boats being prepared for launch on beaches, with at-sea interceptions judged too dangerous.

However, the technique employed by smugglers, involving 'taxi-boats' that pick up migrants further from shore, has proven effective, achieving an 81% success rate in 2025 according to official documents.

The number of migrants who crossed to the UK from France rose last year, but the increases were lower than the peak in 2022.

The July 2025 agreement to initiate on-water interventions faced initial delays due to concerns over the risk to life and potential legal repercussions for officers. These concerns appear to have been alleviated as gendarmes are now allowed to intervene only prior to the 'taxi-boats' taking on passengers.

This approach was utilized in Saturday's operation, where police suspected that the inflatable was on its way to collect migrants, leading to the timely arrest of the men onboard.