Activists say governments in the UK and France aren’t doing enough to deter crossings or stop vigilantes targeting migrant boats.
Activists from Raise the Colours have been accused of harassing migrants (Image: Getty)
Vigilantes from the UK have ramped up efforts to stop migrants crossing the English Channel by targeting small boats in France. Members of the right-wing campaign group Raise the Colours claim to have vessels which they said would have been used to carry asylum seekers across the Channel.
The group argues its activists want to end an “invasion” of illegal immigrants amid claims of inaction on the part of the British and French governments. Migrant support groups say Raise the Colours’ actions must be stopped. Nine associations supporting migrants have accused the governments of Britain and France of failing to tackle the vigilantes.
A spokesperson for L’Auberge Des Migrants, quoted by Euronews, said: “These are people who come to France with the express intention of committing crimes such as harassment. They are a threat to public order.”
They added: “The measures that are being taken [by the authorities] are totally inadequate in view of the real threats that members of this far-right group pose.”
Raise the Colours organised the raising of Union Jack and St George flags from lampposts over the summer. It said those taking part in the campaign were being patriotic. Critics claimed the campaign aimed to spread racism and sow division between communities.
The group’s “Operation Overlord” campaign has seen group members targeting migrants in France and looking for small boats hidden in dunes to destroy.
Footage posted on the group’s social media appears to show members of the group attempting to stop boat crossings.
One shows a member wading into the sea and shouting, “We don’t want them in our country” at a small boat out at sea. Another video posted on December 7 appears to show a masked person brandishing a knife towards the occupants of a car.
That clip is captioned: “Illegal migrant armed with a knife attempts to attack Raise the Colours patriots”.
It has not been possible to independently verify either of the videos. Raise the Colours was approached for comment.
More than 39,000 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year, according to Home Office figures.
The UK’s pilot scheme with France aimed at deterring people from making the dangerous crossing has removed more than one hundred people to the continent since it was introduced in August. A similar number have arrived in the UK under the deal’s approved safe route.
