Five British nationals were fined £2,500 and banned from parts of northern France after being apprehended on the Channel coast in a minibus dubbed a 'battle bus' with alleged plans to target migrants. The group, aged between 30 and 46, were also ordered to pay £418 each to migrant charities.
French authorities arrested the activists near Dunkirk after they were found with tear gas, pepper spray canisters, and a baton, weapons deemed illegal to carry under French law. Prosecutors stated the group had allegedly been livestreaming themselves intimidating migrants attempting to reach Britain in small boats. The arrests occurred at Grande-Synthe.
While the Britons could have faced prison time and significant fines for charges including "taking part in a group formed to prepare violence against people" and "transporting classified weapons without a legitimate reason," investigations did not establish evidence of violent offenses, according to prosecutor Charlotte Huet. However, the judge banned them from the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments for six months and imposed the fines.
All five individuals were expelled from French territory on Sunday. This incident follows previous detentions and deportations of British nationals suspected of anti-migrant activities in France. In January, two Britons were arrested and deported, and ten others were banned from French territory for alleged violence against migrants on the French coast.
The issue of migrant crossings in the Channel remains a contentious topic between Britain and France, contributing to political discourse and the rise of anti-migrant sentiment in the UK.