Police in France will reportedly use large nets to prevent small boats leaving for Britain despite warnings such moves could result in deaths. Paris announced plans to alter its maritime laws to permit interceptions in July. But concerns over the possible risk to life led to delays.
It emerged this week that "arresting nets" measuring up to 30 metres have been given to a number of law enforcement officers in France. Five or six teams would patrol the French coastline on the lookout for migrant boats to intercept.
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A source told investigative outlet Lighthouse Reports and French daily Le Monde that each team would be accompanied by a maritime gendarmerie vessel and a French naval vessel.
Nets would be used to block the propellers of the small boats, according to a training manual from a supplier of the equipment, according to Lighthouse Reports and Le Monde.
A "non-compliant" vessel can be forced to change course or stop using nets. Another document explains the equipment can be used to "immobilise high-speed vessels".
Once the authorities are 10 or 20 metres in front of a small boat a net can be deployed, according to another document cited by the same publications.
French coastguard, Rémi Vandeplanque, a representative of the customs union Solidaires Douanes, warned using such tactics would lead to deaths. He said there was "no way" to perform such manoeuvres in a safe way.
Mr Vandeplanque said: "There are usually at least 50 people on board, sometimes more. Whatever you do, you will create panic or distress, and one day there will be a disaster.
"The first time, maybe it will be okay, once or twice. But it’s clear that one day there will be fatalities caused by this."
He added that if a vessel passes in front of a dinghy, it will make waves, and it wasn't possible to use the nets "really safely".
The union rep said: "It will be dangerous regardless. They can say whatever they want, but there is no way to do it safely."
A source from France's Ministry of the Interior said police officers demands for guarantees to protect them from prosecution would be "impossible" as no magistrate "will agree to give the police carte blanche".
News of the tactic comes as Britain piles pressure on France to toughen measures to curb migrant crossings, with the release of British funds depending on French assurances of a tougher stance, according to The Independent.
More than 39,000 migrants have arrived by boat in the UK so far this year, surpassing the almost 37,000 who arrived in 2024, according to the latest Home Office figures.
However, the number is still shy of the nearly 40,000 who had arrived at this point in the year in 2022, which saw the highest number ever.
Although arrivals on small boats have increased, they account for only a fraction of total immigration, with the majority of people entering the UK legally on visas.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week detailed new reforms, modelled after Denmark, which would revoke the UK’s legal duty to provide support for asylum seekers, allowing the Government to withdraw housing and weekly allowances that are now guaranteed.
Benefits could also be denied to people who have a right to employment but don’t work, and those who break the law or work illegally.
Refugee status would also be regularly reviewed to see if people can safely be repatriated. They will also have to wait 20 years, instead of five, to be permanently settled.
Safe ways would also be designated for migrants to claim asylum without having to risk crossing the Channel in overcrowded inflatable rafts.