French Riot Police Teargas Asylum Seekers: UK-Funded Crackdown 2026

French riot police funded by UK taxpayers used teargas on asylum seekers in a desperate attempt to stop them from boarding a boat, a charity has claimed. The incident occurred on Plage du Braek near Dunkirk at 4am, and just two hours later, three women were found dead in a boat near the same beach. This tragic sequence of events raises serious questions about the effectiveness and humanity of current border enforcement tactics.

UK-Funded CRS Officers at the Scene

As part of a £660m agreement signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in May, 50 officers from the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) have been deployed using UK public money. These officers are specially trained in riot and crowd control tactics, yet their actions are now under scrutiny. The charity Utopia 56, which captured the footage, alleges that CRS officers fired CS gas canisters at people attempting to board the same boat where the women's bodies were later discovered.

What Happened on the Beach?

According to Utopia 56, clashes between riot police and asylum seekers took place on roads leading to Plage du Braek from 4am. Angèle Vettorello, a coordinator at the charity, stated: “An hour before the boat carrying the women’s bodies was found, our team was right next to the beach. Riot officers from the CRS were there and were trying to stop 80 people, including families, from trying to access the beach and those people were trying to get inside the boat.” The charity reported finding at least 35 teargas canisters at the scene, indicating a heavy-handed response.

Deadly Consequences and Rising Crossings

The deaths of the three women were not isolated. In a separate incident on the same day, a fourth person, a man, also died when his dinghy got into difficulty off the coast of Dannes. These tragedies occurred hours after the busiest day for small boat crossings so far this year, with 752 arrivals in the UK. The timing suggests that increased police pressure is not deterring crossings but may be pushing people into more dangerous situations.

Charity's Concerns and Broader Implications

Utopia 56 has expressed deep concern that police tactics are endangering lives. “We can see police pressure on the beach is putting more people at risk,” Vettorello said. “We saw it last week and we are seeing it now and we have seen it for some time.” The charity's footage and photographs provide rare visual evidence of the confrontational approach used by CRS officers, which may violate human rights standards.

Key Takeaways

• UK taxpayers fund French riot police through a £660m agreement.
• Teargas was used on asylum seekers, including families, before a deadly boat departure.
• Three women and one man died in separate incidents on the same day.
• Charity Utopia 56 calls for an investigation into police tactics.
• Record crossings continue despite increased enforcement.

FAQ

This incident highlights the urgent need for a humane and effective asylum policy. While border security is important, the use of teargas on vulnerable people, including families, is unacceptable. The UK government must review its funding agreements and ensure that taxpayer money is not used to endanger lives. As crossings continue, the focus should shift to safe legal routes and addressing the root causes of migration.