Fresh doubts have emerged about the safety and effectiveness of the UK and France’s joint migrant interception policy following a leaked coastguard log that exposed a failed attempt to disable a migrant dinghy before it reached British shores.
Despite repeated government assurances to curb Channel crossings, the number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK by small boats in 2025 has surged by approximately 50% compared to the same period last year. Over 21,000 migrants have already crossed the Channel in small vessels this year.
Slashed Boat Still Reached UK with 55 On Board
The leaked report — a situation report or Sitrep from France’s Gris-Nez maritime rescue coordination centre — detailed an incident overnight on 9–10 July, just hours ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s joint announcement with French President Emmanuel Macron of a new ‘one in, one out’ migrant deal.
The Sitrep revealed that French gendarmes attempted to halt the departure of a dinghy from Cayeux-sur-Mer by slashing its hull. However, they lost track of the vessel, prompting a sea and air search by the coastguard.
Despite the intervention, the damaged dinghy managed to continue along the French coast, pick up additional passengers, and reach UK waters.
It was ultimately rescued by an RNLI lifeboat, with 55 migrants on board.
That same day, 10 vessels carried a total of 573 people across the Channel, according to Home Office figures.
Boat-Slashing Raises Safety Risks and Questions Over Effectiveness
French coastguard officials acknowledged that slashing dinghies does not deter crossings if the boats remain afloat, and in fact necessitates greater search and rescue resources.
Critics argue the tactic not only endangers lives but also fails to address the root causes of migration.
In an open letter dated 25 June, the Solidaires Douannes — a French coastguard union — warned of “growing institutional mistreatment of people in exile” under the UK-France stop-the-boats strategy.
Brook House Set to Detain Migrants Prior to Return
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, near Gatwick Airport, has been earmarked to detain small boat arrivals ahead of their potential return to France.
However, details remain unclear about how individuals will be selected for return and how long they may be detained.
Brook House previously faced scrutiny during a public inquiry following a BBC Panorama exposé revealing serious abuse of detainees.
Human Rights Groups Condemn “State-Funded Violence”
Charlotte Khan, head of advocacy at Care4Calais, condemned the revelations, describing them as evidence of “a rapid increase in state-funded violence” against refugees.
“We’ve sadly become used to police brutality targeting refugees in northern France,” she said. “But slashing dinghies at sea is a reckless tactic that endangers lives and does nothing to reduce Channel crossings.”
Khan emphasised that people fleeing war and persecution are unlikely to be deterred by harsh measures. “The only humane and effective solution is to provide safe and legal routes to claim asylum in the UK,” she added.
French Review Ongoing, Says Home Office
According to Home Office sources, the French government is still reviewing its tactics, though UK officials hope maritime operational teams will soon be empowered to take more direct action against boats at sea.
While the Starmer-Macron pact was intended to demonstrate a firm stance on irregular migration, critics argue it may further endanger vulnerable people rather than solving the crisis.
