all hopes slashed
French police were captured on video wading into the chilly shallows near Boulogne early Friday, armed with small knives. They sliced open an inflatable boat crowded with men, women, and children. The overloaded vessel wobbled precariously in the surf, teetering on the edge of disaster. As the officers moved in, the boat quickly deflated and collapsed, but everyone on board scrambled to safety before it sank.
The footage sparked outrage, with some dismissing the police response as little more than a staged performance for the cameras. Critics called it “complete political theatre,” suggesting the operation was timed to coincide with President Emmanuel Macron’s visit and to create the appearance of firm action on migration. They pointed to the years of British funding meant to help French authorities stem crossings, asking whether one dramatic incident could overshadow hundreds of boats that have already slipped through.
One commentator remarked, “I just don’t buy it. Does anyone really think this is a daily routine? It looks staged, a show for the public. Emmanuel Macron is due to visit and wants to avoid protests. Now he can say, ‘Look, we’re finally stopping the boats after taking your money for years.’ I think it’s nonsense.”
Another added, “It’s hard not to be sceptical. For so long, the French police said their hands were tied once boats hit the water. Now they say the rule has changed, so they intervene. But hundreds of boats have still made the journey.”
The operation was far from subtle. Officers removed their body armour, grabbed their knives, and waded into the water to slice the dinghy open. As the boat collapsed, passengers rushed for solid ground.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the move as “different” and “welcome,” saying it was part of a wider plan to have French police act before boats leave the beach. She stressed that these tactics could help stop dangerous crossings before they begin.
French sources revealed that any new procedures would likely favour intercepting boats at sea using patrol vessels, rather than more aggressive action on the beaches.
Despite the dramatic footage, many remain unconvinced. Critics argue that one intervention does not erase years of missed crossings, nor does it warrant praise. “If I did my job only once, I’d be dismissed,” one said. “We shouldn’t be congratulating France for something that should have happened all along.”
The debate continues as both countries grapple with how to stop the dangerous trips across the Channel, with calls for clear results rather than symbolic gestures.
