French police have used new tactics to stop small boats setting off to cross the Channel, slashing a boat while it was in shallow waters.
The boat was packed with men, women and children when police entered the waters and deflated it.
The move is highly unusual, with police usually bound by rules which forbid them from approaching the boat when it is already in the water.
Small boat crossings have reached record highs this year, with nearly 20,000 people having made the journey in 2025 so far.
Downing Street described the intervention as a “significant moment”.
“We welcome action from French law enforcement to take action in shallow waters, and what you have seen in recent weeks is a toughening of their approach,” a spokesperson said.
“We are seeing new tactics being used to disrupt these boats before they begin their journey and, together with every other lever that the Government is pulling, we think this can have a major impact on shutting down the tactics these gangs use.”
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the approach was a “different strategy” and welcomed the decision to “take action in the shallow waters”.
“This is something that will take time to implement, but is on its way going through the French system at the moment, she told the BBC.
“I want to see this happen as urgently as possible, and I think the French interior minister does as well.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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