A wave of fury and disbelief has swept across Europe after viral videos surfaced showing groups of British citizens crossing into northern France to deliberately damage inflatable boats intended for migrant crossings of the English Channel. The footage, shared widely on social media, depicts self-proclaimed “patriots” slashing dinghies hidden in sand dunes, under operations dubbed “Stop the Boats” and “Operation Overlord.”

The activists, primarily linked to the far-right group Raise the Colours – known for hanging English flags across the UK – have been traveling to coastal areas like Gravelines and Dunkirk. In the clips, masked individuals wield knives to puncture boats, plant Union Jacks on destroyed vessels, and confront migrants or aid workers. One video shows a member wading into shallow waters shouting insults at a distant boat, while others boast of disrupting smuggling networks.

This vigilante activity escalated in late 2025, amid ongoing frustrations over record Channel crossings. Over 40,000 migrants arrived in the UK by small boats that year, despite bilateral efforts between Britain and France to curb the flows. The UK has provided hundreds of millions in funding to French authorities for beach patrols and technology, yet crossings persisted due to calm weather windows and organized smuggling gangs.

Humanitarian organizations in France, including L’Auberge des Migrants and Utopia 56, have condemned the actions as illegal harassment and xenophobic intimidation. Nine French aid groups jointly accused both governments of inadequate responses, warning that unchecked vigilantism encourages violence. French prosecutors in Dunkirk launched investigations into allegations of aggravated assaults and property damage by British nationals.

Supporters of the vigilantes argue they are filling a void left by ineffective official measures, claiming governments have failed to secure borders. The group has solicited donations online for equipment like drones and stab-proof vests, framing their efforts as a “civilian border force” defending against an “invasion.”

The incidents highlight deepening strains in UK-France relations over migration. While French police have intensified onshore interventions – sometimes puncturing boats on beaches – international maritime law limits actions at sea to life-saving only. Critics fear vigilante sabotage risks escalating dangers, potentially endangering lives if boats are damaged improperly.

Broader context reveals a persistent humanitarian crisis: migrants, often fleeing conflict or poverty in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, face perilous journeys in overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels. Dozens have died in recent years from drownings or capsizes. Aid groups emphasize the need for safe legal routes, while governments prioritize deterrence.

As videos garner millions of views, the saga raises urgent questions: Can bilateral cooperation resolve the crisis, or will grassroots extremism worsen divisions? With no immediate arrests of the main figures, the controversy underscores how migration remains a flashpoint, fueling polarization on both sides of the Channel.