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UK and French authorities are facing accusations of “encouraging violent and xenophobic practices” by failing to curb the actions of anti-migrant British activists who travel to northern France to disrupt small boat crossings.
In a rare joint statement, nine French organisations supporting migrants in northern France criticised both governments for their lack of intervention.
The British activist group Raise the Colours — known for hanging St George’s and Union flags on street furniture across the UK — has launched Operation Overlord, named after the second world war Normandy landings.
On Friday, members of the group were in northern France harassing migrants and searching for hidden dinghies to destroy. French police detained some activists for several hours following reports from Utopia 56, an organisation that works along the French coast where migrants attempt Channel crossings.
A spokesperson for Utopia 56 said the group has been monitoring the activists’ social media activity and reporting them to French authorities, yet “nothing has been done to stop them from coming to the beaches”. They warned that unchecked far-right activity leads to the erosion of human rights.
Raise the Colours has claimed online that 5,500 volunteers are willing to travel to France to “stop the boats”, arguing that both governments have failed to do so. The organisation has circulated requests for stab-proof vests, tactical gear, drones, encrypted radios and other equipment, describing itself as a “professional civilian border control force”. One self-proclaimed ex-army member even urged former soldiers to patrol French beaches around the clock.
The group has livestreamed its activities from the northern French coast.
The Home Office has discouraged such groups from taking matters into their own hands.
The nine French associations — including L’Auberge des Migrants, Utopia 56, Médecins du Monde, Human Rights Observers and the Refugee Women’s Centre — accused UK and French authorities of offering a “seriously inadequate response” to the activists’ presence.
They highlighted “structured intimidation tactics” by Raise the Colours and criticised the authorities for failing to remove the group’s recruitment and fundraising content online or to deny members entry into France. These omissions, they said, help normalise “violent and xenophobic practices” that threaten migrants and aid workers.
A Home Office spokesperson acknowledged public frustration over small boat crossings but insisted vigilantism “will not resolve the issue”. They pointed to major reforms announced by the home secretary to tackle illegal migration and strengthen border control.
Home Office sources added that France is reviewing its maritime approach to improve interception of small boats and plans to set up a new anti-smuggling unit in Dunkirk.
The French interior ministry and Raise the Colours have been contacted for comment.
