Key facts
- French riot police, including a 50-officer squad, are deployed in northern France under a £660 million UK-France deal.
- These officers are authorised to use water cannon, CS gas, and batons.
- The deployment aims to prevent asylum seekers from launching small boats.
- Water cannon use is prohibited in Great Britain but permitted in Northern Ireland.
- Refugee charities have criticised the potential use of water cannon as inhumane and a state violence escalation.
French riot police deployed in northern France as part of a £660 million UK-France deal are authorised to use water cannon, CS gas, and batons against asylum seekers. The deployment, which includes a 50-officer riot squad, aims to prevent asylum seekers and people smugglers from launching small boats, particularly ahead of the summer months.
Informed sources indicated that French officers from the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) can request the use of these crowd control measures under their public order powers. The use of water cannon is prohibited in Great Britain due to concerns about "policing by consent" but remains permissible in Northern Ireland. Last week, they were used to disperse anti-immigration protesters near Belfast.
Refugee charities have strongly condemned the potential deployment of water cannon. Steve Smith, chief executive of Care4Calais, called it a "sickening escalation in the state violence being waged against refugees" and stated that if such tactics are prohibited in Great Britain, they should not be backed by the UK government elsewhere.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment of these specialist units, including 75 officers from the Compagnie de Marche, at the G7 summit. A government statement described the unit as "specially trained in the use of riot and crowd control tactics" and better equipped to "respond to hostile crowds and evolving smuggler tactics and stop illegal migrants in their tracks."
French riot police have previously used water cannon and CS gas in Calais and Dunkirk to stop asylum seekers from reaching small boats. The CRS has faced allegations of brutality and racism, with nine officers found guilty in February for assaulting protesters in 2018. Leaked messages from CRS officers also showed exchanges of images depicting boats laden with migrants.
Theresa May, the former home secretary, ruled out water cannon deployment on the British mainland in 2015, citing their capacity to cause harm. Police in Northern Ireland, however, still possess six water cannon.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had previously announced plans for French riot police to be permanently stationed on Channel beaches as part of measures to tighten security. These measures include a new detention centre, expanded maritime tactics, and an increased officer presence. Downing Street reported that joint operations since the deal's agreement had halted 40% of attempted crossings in May, though 2,726 people still made the journey that month.