France Confirms 10 At-Sea Interceptions of Migrant Boats Since Spring

French Maritime Prefect officers have intercepted 10 small boats in the English Channel since spring 2026, boarding or controlling vessels at sea and returning asylum seekers to France. The tactic stems from a policy shift begun November 2025. Crossings fell 43% year-on-year through mid-July, though smuggling networks have dispersed launches to Belgium and Dieppe, 70 miles from the UK.