In a daring twist, a group of British vigilantes has taken their mission across the Channel, targeting hidden boat engines on French shores.
British vigilantes film themselves smashing migrant boat engines on French beaches to stop crossings (Image: RTCORGUK)
A group of vigilantes who spearheaded the drive to drape Britain’s streets in Union flags have taken their fight against Channel crossings to the French coast, filming themselves destroying small boat engines concealed in the dunes.
The Raise the Colours activists, determined to halt would-be migrants from making the perilous journey, have shared a new video showing them unearthing a dinghy engine buried by ruthless people smugglers.
In the explosive footage, they can be heard declaring: “We’ve told the authorities that we’ve found this buried, we’ve f***** it up.”
Chasing down migrant boats, with French cops nowhere to be seen
Ryan Bridges, co-leader of the group, had previously filmed himself in hot pursuit of men attempting to board a dinghy in Gravelines – all while French police were conspicuously absent from the scene, reports The Sun.
The vigilantes claim to have made three trips to France in the last fortnight, documenting each outing on their YouTube channel and appealing for financial support from viewers.
Channel crossings grind to a halt, but 39,000 have already made the journey this year
The last successful crossing from France saw 217 people crammed into three overcrowded dinghies on Friday, with adverse weather conditions thwarting any further attempts over the past six days.
However, the total number of arrivals via the Channel this year has already surpassed a staggering 39,000.
Macron’s tougher tactics promise falls flat
Despite President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to crack down on the boats as part of a summer agreement with Sir Keir Starmer, French authorities have been dragging their feet, citing concerns over the potential risk to lives.
The UK has poured £480 million into France’s coffers to bolster policing and invest in new technology aimed at stemming the tide of crossings.
Dunkirk prosecutors probe vigilante group
Prosecutors in Dunkirk have confirmed they are investigating the Raise the Colours group after receiving complaints, with police now looking into the matter.
The vigilantes’ controversial actions have sparked a heated debate over the Channel migrant crisis, as tensions mount over the relentless flow of boats and the apparent inability of authorities on both sides of the Channel to find a solution.
