Footage shows French police clashing with people on beach as they try to leave in small boat

The Guardian World Friday 21 August 2026, 08:05 UTC By Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor 1 min read

Key Points

Film emerges as France says it has prevented 185 ‘small boat crossing events’ in three months since new £660m deal with UKFootage has captured the moment French police officers clashed with people on a beach in northern France as the authorities attempted to intercept a dinghy attempting to reach the UK.Men wearing lifejackets appear to throw objects at the police to try to keep them away from their dinghy. The officers then use Pava spray before slashing the inflatable boat with a knife.

Film emerges as France says it has prevented 185 ‘small boat crossing events’ in three months since new £660m deal with UK

Footage has captured the moment French police officers clashed with people on a beach in northern France as the authorities attempted to intercept a dinghy attempting to reach the UK.

Men wearing lifejackets appear to throw objects at the police to try to keep them away from their dinghy. The officers then use Pava spray before slashing the inflatable boat with a knife.

French (ORG) France (LOCATION) UKFootage (ORG) Pava (ORG)

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Footage shows French police clashing with people on beach as they try to leave in small boat

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