Video footage has emerged of French law enforcement officers facing resistance from migrants attempting to intercept a small boat launch on a northern beach. Individuals wearing life jackets threw objects at police, prompting officers to deploy pepper spray and slash the inflatable vessel with a knife. This incident highlights the escalating tensions as UK and France strengthen their joint efforts to curb Channel crossings. A new agreement signed in April has led to increased police presence, including a 50-person riot squad, resulting in 185 intercepted 'small boat crossing events' since its implementation. The Home Office reports a 43% decline in successful crossings this year compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, smuggling tactics have shifted, with gangs overcrowding vessels—recently seen in a record 230 migrants in one boat. French officials reject proposals for Royal Navy involvement, citing sovereignty concerns. Officials stress that coordinated operations are disrupting criminal networks and reducing illegal crossings.

A record 230 asylum seekers reached the UK after being intercepted on a single 15-metre vessel, highlighting a growing trend of migrants cramming into mega-dinghies to bypass border controls. French rescue services reported a surge in large boats ferrying hundreds of people across the Channel, with smugglers increasingly using Chinese-manufactured vessels sourced through networks in Turkey and Bulgaria. Despite law enforcement efforts to disrupt supply chains and intercept launches, gangs are resorting to overcrowded crossings due to heightened scrutiny. Officials noted a 43% drop in overall migrant arrivals compared to last year, though the average number per boat has risen sharply from seven in 2018 to over 70 this month. Rescue operations have become more perilous as vessels struggle with seaworthiness, with some migrants falling into the sea during chaotic boarding. Political figures condemned the situation as a national security crisis, while authorities emphasized ongoing cooperation between UK and French agencies to curb smuggling networks.

The article details allegations that Iran is exploiting small boat migrant crossings of the English Channel to smuggle spies into the UK. UK authorities claim to have identified individuals linked to Tehran's intelligence agencies among asylum seekers, using face recognition technology and drone surveillance. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is reportedly operating these migrant routes. Over 500 small boat migrants arrived in the UK during Andy Burnham's first week as Prime Minister, with one vessel carrying 165 people. Critics accuse Burnham of failing to address the crisis, while officials emphasize military readiness to defend against threats. MI5 warns of increased Iranian plots against UK interests, with 50% more hostile-state threat investigations in the past year. Tensions escalated as Iran warned RAF Fairford is a 'legitimate target' following US military actions. Political figures from Reform UK and the Conservatives propose stricter border controls and deportation policies. The piece highlights the intersection of migration, national security, and geopolitical tensions between the UK and Iran.