URGENT UPDATE: British vigilantes have escalated their anti-migrant campaign, shifting focus to homeless migrants in Paris, France. The group, who previously targeted small boats crossing the English Channel, is now filming confrontations with migrants in the French capital as part of their initiative dubbed “Operation Stop The Boats.”
This alarming development comes as the group encourages others to join their cause, promoting their actions on social media platforms. Videos show two men approaching homeless camps in Paris, specifically engaging with African migrants. One video captures a man shouting “Africa” from a car to a group of migrants, asking about their origins and intentions to travel to the UK.
The Home Office has confirmed it is aware of these vigilante actions. A spokesperson stated, “We recognise the frustration surrounding small boat crossings. However, taking the law into your own hands will not resolve the issue.” The UK government is actively warning against similar anti-migrant protests in France, emphasizing the need for lawful measures.
In distressing footage, the men accuse one migrant of holding a knife despite him having empty hands, further fueling tensions. They also repeat harmful stereotypes about migrants, claiming that those entering the UK illegally are “rapists and murderers… coming to a town near you.” Such rhetoric raises significant concerns about the normalization of aggressive behavior towards marginalized communities.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, recently outlined a series of reforms aimed at tackling illegal migration, stating the current situation is “out of control and unfair.” Meanwhile, protests against asylum seeker accommodations continue to increase across the UK, driven by rising anti-migrant sentiments.
The situation has drawn attention to the broader context of British migration policies. A treaty signed earlier this year allows the UK to return small boat migrants to France in exchange for accepting legal asylum seekers. However, critics argue the initiative has proven ineffective, with only 113 returns to France and 84 asylum seekers allowed into the UK thus far.
On 14 November, 217 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats, coinciding with the government’s release of figures indicating that 48,560 migrants were removed or deported from the UK between 1 July 2024 and 31 October 2025, marking a 23% increase from the previous 16 months.
Experts are voicing alarm over the actions of these vigilantes. A researcher from HOPE not Hate commented, “Their behavior normalizes the idea that it is acceptable to approach black and brown people and question them on their residential status, or their travel plans, in the name of ‘patriotism.’”
As the situation unfolds, the focus now turns to how French authorities will address the actions of these British vigilantes and what further developments may arise in the ongoing migration crisis. The public and officials alike are urged to monitor this situation closely as tensions continue to escalate.
