French Authorities Seized 53 Migrant Boats in May While 29 Reached Britain

French authorities seized 53 boats carrying migrants bound for Britain in May while 29 boats reached Britain uncontested, according to Home Office data reported by GB News. The figures indicate that 35 per cent of attempted small-boat crossings succeeded during the month. The interception rate in May stood four percentage points higher than the average for the rest of the year.

French forces prevented 1,273 individuals from reaching Britain, while 1,924 migrants completed the crossing, representing 40 per cent of those who attempted the journey. The revised £660 million deal for heightened beach patrols and enforcement was agreed in April.

The three-year agreement, signed on 23 April, added one vessel and 20 new maritime police officers to target taxi-boat operations before they reach the Channel.

Home Office data recorded 9,142 successful small-boat crossings in 2026 through the date of the report, down from 15,212 in the same period of 2025. One in four boats in May launched from beaches in Belgium. Eight taxi-boat operations were intercepted in 2026 up to the date of the report, two of them after the new deal took effect.

French law prohibits intervention against boats carrying more than 20 people. The UK gained rapid access to EU vehicle data under a new agreement to target smuggling gangs. Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, said the figures showed progress.

"Our work with France is cracking down on small boat launches and stopping the criminal smuggling gangs in their tracks," Norris stated. " Charlie Eastaugh, head of maritime and small boats in the Home Office's border command, said French officers are now conducting operations against small boats at sea for the first time.