French Riot Police Teargas Asylum Seekers in UK-Funded Operation 2026

French riot police funded by UK taxpayers used teargas on asylum seekers attempting to board a small boat, a charity has claimed. The incident occurred on Plage du Braek near Dunkirk, where three women were later found dead. This article examines the events, the UK funding behind the operation, and the broader implications for migration policy.

UK-Funded French Riot Police and the Teargas Incident

According to the charity Utopia 56, French riot police from the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) fired CS gas canisters at groups of people trying to board a boat at 4am on Thursday. The same boat was later found with three women dead. The UK government had signed a £660m agreement in May to deploy 50 CRS officers, specially trained in riot and crowd control, using UK public money.

Angèle Vettorello, a coordinator at Utopia 56, stated that officers attempted to stop 80 people, including families, from accessing the beach. The charity witnessed teargas being used and found at least 35 canisters afterwards. The exact circumstances of the women's deaths remain unclear, but the charity claims police pressure is putting more people at risk.

Timeline of Events

• 4:00 AM – CRS officers fire teargas at groups near Plage du Braek.
• 6:00 AM – Three women found dead in a boat near the same beach.
• Later – A fourth person (a man) dies in a separate incident off Dannes.
• Previous day – 752 small boat arrivals in the UK, the busiest day this year.

Data Table: UK Funding and Small Boat Incidents

Key Takeaways

• UK taxpayers are funding French riot police operations that include teargas use.
• The charity Utopia 56 claims police tactics increase risks for asylum seekers.
• Multiple deaths occurred on the same day, highlighting the dangers of small boat crossings.
• The incident raises ethical and legal questions about the UK's migration deterrence strategy.

FAQ

The incident underscores the complex and often tragic consequences of migration policies. As the UK continues to fund French enforcement, questions arise about the effectiveness and humanity of such measures.