On Wednesday night, police officers from the Police Nationale and the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) came under attack while attempting to prevent a group of over 90 migrants from launching small boats on the beaches of Dunkirk. The migrants, armed with sharpened sticks, wooden clubs, and rocks, charged at the officers as tensions escalated during the ongoing operation to stop illegal crossings of the English Channel.
The violent encounter saw officers forced to don safety helmets and respond with tear gas to protect themselves as the group hurled missiles and rocks at them. Several officers sustained injuries during the confrontation. One officer involved in the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as increasingly dangerous.
“They charged at us, launching missiles and rocks. We had to retreat, put on our helmets, and draw our batons to protect ourselves,” the officer said. “The missiles just kept coming, and some of my colleagues have cuts and bruises from being hit.”
This is not an isolated incident, as similar attacks have occurred multiple times in recent months. A recent change in French law has further complicated the situation for law enforcement, as officers are no longer permitted to detain migrants attempting to cross for 24 hours, a measure that previously helped curb illegal crossings.
“Before the law changed, we could arrest and detain those who tried to make the crossing for 24 hours, but that’s been taken away from us,” the officer continued. “We are working very hard to stop the crossings. We spend two weeks at a time, day and night, supporting operations. It’s very difficult, especially when the gangs organizing the crossings change locations and tactics.”
Despite the challenges, the French authorities are intensifying efforts to thwart migrant crossings, with patrols ramping up across various locations to intercept small boats before they can reach the water. Officers often have to wade into the sea to stop the boats, coming under attack from rocks and other projectiles thrown by the migrants.
The officer also highlighted the broader pressures faced by French authorities as more migrants arrive from Italy, leading to increased hostility from groups attempting to cross the Channel. “They become very hostile and angry when we stop them,” he said. “We puncture the boats, and sometimes we have to wade into the water to stop them, but we come under attack.”
The French police are continuing to monitor the situation closely, with additional patrols and lockdowns of strategic locations aimed at preventing small boats from being delivered to launch points along the coast.
The Police Nationale has been contacted for an update on the condition of the injured officers as the operation to prevent illegal crossings remains ongoing.
