A BBC crew was attacked with stones by migrant smugglers in Calais, France, on September 3, 2026, while investigating the use of larger vessels for illegal crossings to Britain. A BBC cameraman, identified as Pol, sustained injuries requiring stitches above his eye after being struck by rocks thrown at close range.
The journalists had been filming at a migrant camp when they were confronted by smugglers who objected to the filming. Despite the crew agreeing to stop, one smuggler attempted to grab equipment and threw rocks. The crew fled the scene as they were pursued to their vehicle.
The incident occurred as criminal gangs are reportedly adapting their tactics amid a shortage of smaller boats. These groups are said to be increasingly using fewer, larger vessels to transport more migrants across the English Channel. Last month, a record 230 people crossed the Channel in a single small boat, a number exceeding the typical capacity of a commercial airplane.
This unprecedented crossing led to accusations that authorities had lost control of illegal migration, with French police facing renewed criticism for their response. Gang members have indicated that more of these larger boats, described as 'mega-dinghies,' are in development, according to a source speaking to the BBC.
Smugglers are reportedly charging up to €2,000 (£1,700) per person for the crossing, a price increase from approximately €1,300 a year ago. Passengers are allegedly instructed to pay in cash to demonstrate commitment.
David Neal, former chief inspector of borders and immigration, stated that organized crime gangs are adept at circumventing law enforcement measures. He suggested that the increased use of extra-large dinghies indicates a tactical shift, possibly involving new manufacturers producing these boats to order. Neal also posited that law enforcement success in seizing outboard motors might be driving smugglers to use fewer, larger boats powered by the motors they can obtain.
Neal highlighted the significant risks associated with these larger vessels, including the potential for drowning, trampling, and crushing due to overcrowding. He noted that authorities might be more hesitant to approach such overloaded and potentially unstable dinghies at sea due to the risk of capsizing caused by patrol boat wakes.
"Traffickers care only about their profits and are indifferent to the safety of the migrants they smuggle," Neal said. "They will corral ever-higher numbers of migrants into these death-trap dinghies just to make money, with potentially disastrous consequences."
However, despite these new tactics, Channel crossings saw a seasonal decline over the summer. Between June and August, nearly 7,000 people made the journey in small boats, representing the lowest number of arrivals since 2020. The number of boats arriving in Britain also fell to its lowest point since 2019.
While some attribute this decrease to unfavorable weather, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood credited enhanced international cooperation in disrupting the supply chain for boats, lifebelts, and outboard motors used by smugglers.