Smuggling gangs operating in the English Channel have adopted a new tactic that sees migrants wading waist-deep into the sea to be picked up by small inflatable “taxi boats” just off the French coast.
This shift in strategy, described by officials as both ruthless and calculated, is aimed at avoiding detection by French authorities. By launching further out at sea, smugglers reduce the chance of police intercepting the boats before they reach international waters.
Smugglers Evolve to Bypass Patrols
Previously, most dinghies were launched directly from beaches under the cover of darkness. Now, organized crime groups are sending out smaller craft to collect groups already waiting in the water, often near marshes or less-monitored coastal areas. Migrants, including children, are seen clutching backpacks and plastic bags, desperately trying to keep their belongings dry as they wade into the sea.
According to British intelligence, this change is a deliberate response to increased surveillance and beach patrols by French police, who have stepped up efforts to block boats before they leave shore.
Risk to Life Intensifies
Border Force officials and humanitarian groups warn that the new tactic significantly increases the risk of drowning. Migrants are often left standing in cold, fast-moving waters for extended periods, vulnerable to tides and unpredictable weather.
A senior UK Home Office official stated:
“These criminals are putting lives at even greater risk. Every change in their method puts pressure on both rescue services and the migrants themselves.”
Surge in Channel Crossings
Despite recent policy crackdowns, Channel crossings continue to surge, with over 11,000 people arriving in small boats in 2025 so far, according to the UK Home Office.
Many of those rescued report paying thousands of euros to criminal networks who falsely promise safe passage to the UK. Some say they were forced into the water at gunpoint when they hesitated due to the dangers.
Government Response
Home Secretary James Cleverly condemned the smugglers, saying:
“This is organized exploitation at its worst. These gangs don’t care if people drown – they care about profit. We are determined to dismantle their networks.”
British authorities have vowed to step up aerial surveillance, deploy more drones, and increase joint coastal operations with French police.
The UK government also reaffirmed its controversial Rwanda deportation policy, arguing that deterrents are key to reducing illegal migration.
Humanitarian Voices Push Back
Charities and migrant support organizations, however, say the lack of legal and safe migration routes is forcing people into ever more desperate situations.
Clare Moseley, founder of the refugee charity Care4Calais, stated:
“People wouldn’t be walking into the sea if they had a way to apply safely for asylum. We are watching human dignity being stripped away in front of us.”
A Global Smuggling Crisis
The tactic echoes similar strategies used in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, where smugglers routinely drop migrants into open water to avoid coast guard patrols. Experts say the Channel, while narrower, is no less dangerous — with strong currents, freezing waters, and heavy shipping traffic.
With the summer months ahead — historically the busiest for crossings — British and French authorities fear more deaths unless more is done to address root causes, disrupt smuggling routes, and offer humane solutions.
Written By Joe Brens
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