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| Europe | |
| French police slash migrant boat and drag passengers back to shore just as they attempt to cross the Channel for Britain | |
| 2025-07-05 | |
| [Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Downing Street has hailed the 'toughening' of tactics by French police in the war on small boats as footage emerged of officers slashing a dinghy packed with migrants and dragging the deflated vessel back to dry land. The Prime Minister's spokesperson has described the new approach as 'significant' - as footage showed gendarmes taking a knife to the boat, which was teeming with people in lifejackets hoping to make it to Britain. Dramatic footage aired by the BBC shows the officers taking off their utility belts before dashing into the water armed with knives in what looks to be a preview of the new approach being unveiled at a France-UK summit on tackling the issue next week. A single jab with a blade is all it takes to puncture the boat, which begins rapidly collapsing into the water as the would-be migrants cry out in anger having just boarded the vessel seconds before. Furious screams can be heard as they scurry to get back to the beach, while children can be seen crying. All the migrants on board managed to make their way safely back to shore. It's a dramatic new tactic by French police, who have previously said French law prevents them from interfering with boats more than 10 feet from the coast. The rule is in the process of being scrapped, with France and Britain - but some police appear to be acting early, prompting anger from refugee charities. Number 10 hailed the actions of French cops on Friday as a 'significant moment' that could have 'a major impact' on smuggling gangs. Downing Street said the change in stance from French law enforcement was thanks to the Prime Minister's 'reset' in relations with Europe, as he has looked to heal the wounds caused by the Brexit years. The spokesman said: 'No government has been able to get this level of cooperation with the French. That is important. 'We are looking to see France change its maritime tactics, and that is down to the Prime Minister's efforts to reset our relationship across Europe.'
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| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #1 Just relocate the boat to the Med side. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2025-07-05 07:32 |