French police raced into the water for the first time to stop migrants (Image: Getty)
French police raced into the water for the first time to prevent migrants clambering onto dinghies bound for Britain.
Heavily-armoured officers carrying riot shields surged into the shallow waters as a so-called taxi-boat arrived in Gravelines on Friday morning.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Fly New York to Paris in Luxury with La CompagnieFor business travel this summer, La Compagnie offers an all-business-class experience from New York to Paris. Enjoy comfort, efficiency, and top-tier service, making your journey as productive as it is luxurious.La Compagnie | Sponsored Sponsored
Book Now
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
GB News 'makes mockery' of Keir Starmer with urgent 'breaking news' announcement
71 Comments
Donald Trump ramps up immigration crackdown as he targets 'Democrat power centre'
37 Comments
Furious BBC Question Time row erupts as Labour minister makes ridiculous migrant claim
480 Comments
Europe's migrant crisis continues as Spanish islands 'demand help' after 28 new arrivals
7 Comments
Squirming Labour minister REFUSES to deny Home Office is buying hotels for migrants
110 Comments
King Charles's incredible tribute to Air India crash victims at Trooping the Colour
16 Comments
Illegal migrant worker arrests skyrocket in 1 year - but Labour faces new crisis
291 Comments
Ballymena riots: Police face third night of violence as unrest spreads
137 Comments
The pretty seaside town that's home to an 'absolutely spotless' beach
Comments
Air India: I watch planes take off every day - this is my theory for what caused crash
55 Comments
Another pretty European island says ‘too many tourists' - sea ‘wall' will keep them away
Comments
Ryanair warns passengers of 'unacceptable' airport chaos after hundreds left stranded
Comments
Outrage in Spain over new problem tourists are causing - ‘now it's boats'
2 Comments
Huge Captain Cook breakthrough as 250-year mystery solved
2 Comments
Escaped Puppy Slips Into Tiger Enclosure - See What Happens!Tips and Tricks | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Uber set to launch helicopter service in famous Italy tourism spot this summer
Comments
I had a day in one of The Netherlands most visited areas - but there's more charming spot
Comments
Aaron Rodgers Steps Out With His Famous Wife And Fans Are StunnedThe Mom Pack | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Cruise passengers urged to check tickets now for 1 common issue
Comments
Search underway as person goes overboard from UK ferry
7 Comments
American Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Return To Des Moines After Mechanical IssueTravel Noire | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Red Arrows face wrong turn as panic mounts over Hawk replacement
5 Comments
France's shockingly 'half-hearted' effort to stop small boats amid plea for more UK cash
Comments
The Chip War’s Next Battleground Is in NevadaTomorrow Investor | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
GB News 'makes mockery' of Keir Starmer with urgent 'breaking news' announcement
71 Comments
Donald Trump ramps up immigration crackdown as he targets 'Democrat power centre'
37 Comments
Furious BBC Question Time row erupts as Labour minister makes ridiculous migrant claim
480 Comments
Europe's migrant crisis continues as Spanish islands 'demand help' after 28 new arrivals
7 Comments
Squirming Labour minister REFUSES to deny Home Office is buying hotels for migrants
110 Comments
King Charles's incredible tribute to Air India crash victims at Trooping the Colour
16 Comments
Illegal migrant worker arrests skyrocket in 1 year - but Labour faces new crisis
291 Comments
Ballymena riots: Police face third night of violence as unrest spreads
137 Comments
The pretty seaside town that's home to an 'absolutely spotless' beach
Comments
Air India: I watch planes take off every day - this is my theory for what caused crash
55 Comments
Another pretty European island says ‘too many tourists' - sea ‘wall' will keep them away
Comments
Ryanair warns passengers of 'unacceptable' airport chaos after hundreds left stranded
Comments
Outrage in Spain over new problem tourists are causing - ‘now it's boats'
2 Comments
Huge Captain Cook breakthrough as 250-year mystery solved
2 Comments
Uber set to launch helicopter service in famous Italy tourism spot this summer
Comments
I had a day in one of The Netherlands most visited areas - but there's more charming spot
Comments
Cruise passengers urged to check tickets now for 1 common issue
Comments
Search underway as person goes overboard from UK ferry
7 Comments
Red Arrows face wrong turn as panic mounts over Hawk replacement
5 Comments
France's shockingly 'half-hearted' effort to stop small boats amid plea for more UK cash
Comments
GB News 'makes mockery' of Keir Starmer with urgent 'breaking news' announcement
71 Comments
Donald Trump ramps up immigration crackdown as he targets 'Democrat power centre'
37 Comments
Furious BBC Question Time row erupts as Labour minister makes ridiculous migrant claim
480 Comments
Europe's migrant crisis continues as Spanish islands 'demand help' after 28 new arrivals
7 Comments
Squirming Labour minister REFUSES to deny Home Office is buying hotels for migrants
110 Comments
King Charles's incredible tribute to Air India crash victims at Trooping the Colour
16 Comments
Illegal migrant worker arrests skyrocket in 1 year - but Labour faces new crisis
291 Comments
Bombshell pictures from the beach show officers confronting groups of migrants, pushing them back onto shore.
It follows years of anger over French police standing idly by as migrants rushed past them and launched boats in an attempt to reach Britain.
Powered By
10 Sec
1K
1K
Celebrities Who Have Had Strange Pets
Next
Stay
UK sources believe the French are trialling new tactics as they draw up plans to regularly intercept migrant dinghies in the water.
Sponsored
universalinfonet.com | Sponsored Sponsored
Ranger Tries To Help Pregnant Elephant, But Then The Herd Does Something No One Saw Coming
Undo
Former Border Force Director General Tony Smith told the Daily Express: “If the French are now seriously intervening in shallow waters, then this could be a major breakthrough by the government in reducing small boat crossings.
READ MORE: Bombshell new migrant crime figures released as Starmer issued warning
Bombshell pictures from the beach shows officers confronting groups of migrants (Image: Getty Images)
“They have consistently refused to do this in the past.
“Although this is early days, and we will need to monitor what impact this has on asylum intake over the coming days and weeks.”
Dover MP Mike Tapp told the Daily Express: "This is what Yvette Cooper asked for, she used diplomatic skill to have the French change their laws on this.
"Now we can see the French step up and bring down these small boat crossings. Great stuff. If you’re looking to cross, stay in France."
After years of criticism over their inaction, French interior ministry sources finally suggested they will target boats within 300 metres of the beaches.
This, they hope, will prevent people smugglers from using so-called taxi boats to pick up migrants waiting in the water.
French President Emmanuel Macron is said to want the strategy to be ready for the Franco-British on July 8, when he will meet Sir Keir Starmer in London.
France will also introduce six new patrol boats that will intercept the “taxi-boats” and rescue migrants.
Paris has refused to allow their police officers to intercept migrants in the water because they fear it could put lies at risk.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
GB News 'makes mockery' of Keir Starmer with urgent 'breaking news' announcement
71 Comments
Donald Trump ramps up immigration crackdown as he targets 'Democrat power centre'
37 Comments
Furious BBC Question Time row erupts as Labour minister makes ridiculous migrant claim
480 Comments
Europe's migrant crisis continues as Spanish islands 'demand help' after 28 new arrivals
7 Comments
Squirming Labour minister REFUSES to deny Home Office is buying hotels for migrants
110 Comments
King Charles's incredible tribute to Air India crash victims at Trooping the Colour
16 Comments
Illegal migrant worker arrests skyrocket in 1 year - but Labour faces new crisis
291 Comments
Ballymena riots: Police face third night of violence as unrest spreads
137 Comments
The pretty seaside town that's home to an 'absolutely spotless' beach
Comments
Air India: I watch planes take off every day - this is my theory for what caused crash
55 Comments
Another pretty European island says ‘too many tourists' - sea ‘wall' will keep them away
Comments
Ryanair warns passengers of 'unacceptable' airport chaos after hundreds left stranded
Comments
Outrage in Spain over new problem tourists are causing - ‘now it's boats'
2 Comments
Huge Captain Cook breakthrough as 250-year mystery solved
2 Comments
Open your free account today!Interactive Brokers | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Uber set to launch helicopter service in famous Italy tourism spot this summer
Comments
I had a day in one of The Netherlands most visited areas - but there's more charming spot
Comments
Scarlett Johansson, 40, Bigger Than Husband Size In A New PhotosGamesWaka | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Cruise passengers urged to check tickets now for 1 common issue
Comments
Search underway as person goes overboard from UK ferry
7 Comments
Amazon's Best Spring Dresses (And Most Are on Sale)Country Living | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Red Arrows face wrong turn as panic mounts over Hawk replacement
5 Comments
France's shockingly 'half-hearted' effort to stop small boats amid plea for more UK cash
Comments
These Toys Are Worth A LOT of Money NowCountry Living | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
GB News 'makes mockery' of Keir Starmer with urgent 'breaking news' announcement
71 Comments
Donald Trump ramps up immigration crackdown as he targets 'Democrat power centre'
37 Comments
Step Into the Wild: The Sneakers That Bite BackKaittly | Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Furious BBC Question Time row erupts as Labour minister makes ridiculous migrant claim
480 Comments
Europe's migrant crisis continues as Spanish islands 'demand help' after 28 new arrivals
7 Comments
Neuropathy is not from Low vitamin B. Meet the Real Enemy of Neuropathy (Stop Doing This)Health Insight Journal | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Squirming Labour minister REFUSES to deny Home Office is buying hotels for migrants
110 Comments
King Charles's incredible tribute to Air India crash victims at Trooping the Colour
16 Comments
Errol Musk admits to fathering two children with his stepdaughter: "One thing led to another"Ohmymag | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Illegal migrant worker arrests skyrocket in 1 year - but Labour faces new crisis
291 Comments
Ballymena riots: Police face third night of violence as unrest spreads
137 Comments
Rules You Didn't Know 'Survivor' Contestants Have to FollowCosmopolitan | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
The pretty seaside town that's home to an 'absolutely spotless' beach
Comments
Air India: I watch planes take off every day - this is my theory for what caused crash
55 Comments
A Closer Look at Meryl Streep’s Longtime PartnershipSimplyUrbans | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Another pretty European island says ‘too many tourists' - sea ‘wall' will keep them away
Comments
Ryanair warns passengers of 'unacceptable' airport chaos after hundreds left stranded
Comments
Sudoku That Feels Like Pen & PaperClassic Suduku | Sponsored Sponsored
Download
Undo
Outrage in Spain over new problem tourists are causing - ‘now it's boats'
2 Comments
Huge Captain Cook breakthrough as 250-year mystery solved
2 Comments
Uber set to launch helicopter service in famous Italy tourism spot this summer
Comments
I had a day in one of The Netherlands most visited areas - but there's more charming spot
Comments
Cruise passengers urged to check tickets now for 1 common issue
Comments
Search underway as person goes overboard from UK ferry
7 Comments
Red Arrows face wrong turn as panic mounts over Hawk replacement
5 Comments
France's shockingly 'half-hearted' effort to stop small boats amid plea for more UK cash
Comments
GB News 'makes mockery' of Keir Starmer with urgent 'breaking news' announcement
71 Comments
Donald Trump ramps up immigration crackdown as he targets 'Democrat power centre'
37 Comments
Furious BBC Question Time row erupts as Labour minister makes ridiculous migrant claim
480 Comments
Europe's migrant crisis continues as Spanish islands 'demand help' after 28 new arrivals
7 Comments
Squirming Labour minister REFUSES to deny Home Office is buying hotels for migrants
110 Comments
King Charles's incredible tribute to Air India crash victims at Trooping the Colour
16 Comments
Illegal migrant worker arrests skyrocket in 1 year - but Labour faces new crisis
291 Comments
This Rib Prep Tool is a Game Changertopgadgetlife
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Seniors Can Now Fly Business Class For the Price Of EconomyInsider | Travel Deals
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The new portable air conditioning model requires no installationPortable Air Conditioner
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Create your free account today!Interactive Brokers
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
French interior ministry sources finally suggested they will target boats within 300 metres of the beaches (Image: Getty Images)
Migrants were prevented from reaching a waiting boat (Image: Getty Images)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Trending
Fury erupted after an elite unit mobilised to stop Channel migrant crossings only intercepted 184 asylum seekers trying to reach Britain on a day of record crossings.
London and Paris agreed in February to establish the Compagnie de Marche, a group of specialist officers with “elite public order powers”.
The Compagnie de Marche will eventually be charged with intercepting boats in the water.