French authorities have banned 10 British far-right activists from entering the country after accusing them of carrying out anti-migrant actions on French soil. The decision was announced by France’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over harassment and violence targeting migrants along the northern French coastline.
Immigration has become a major political issue in the United Kingdom, as the government struggles to stop undocumented migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. Many migrants pay smugglers to make the dangerous journey from France to England, a situation that has fuelled public debate and rising anger among far-right groups in the UK.
In recent months, videos have circulated online showing British anti-migrant activists travelling to France and attempting to interfere with migrant crossings. Some have described themselves as “patriots” or “vigilantes,” claiming they are acting to protect Britain’s borders.
France’s Interior Ministry said it acted after receiving reports that members of a British far-right group known as Raise the Colours had carried out activities aimed at stopping migrants from reaching England.
On Tuesday, French authorities issued territorial bans against 10 British nationals identified as activists within the movement. The ministry said the individuals had carried out actions on French territory and were therefore no longer welcome in the country. Officials declined to name the individuals or provide full details of their activities.
In response, Raise the Colours condemned the decision, calling it “absolutely disgraceful.” In a written statement to AFP, the group said it believed the bans applied to specific individuals and not the organisation as a whole.
The group claimed it does not support violence or illegal activity. It said its actions are meant to remain peaceful and lawful. On Wednesday, its website displayed a message stating that the organisation does not support vigilante behaviour, nor does it encourage anyone to travel to France, approach migrant boats, or intervene in crossings.
Despite these claims, French authorities are investigating an alleged violent incident involving migrants near Dunkirk last September. According to migrant support charity Utopia 56, four men carrying British and English flags verbally and physically assaulted migrants in the coastal town of Grand-Fort-Philippe during the night of September 9 to 10. The attackers reportedly told the migrants they were not welcome in England.
French prosecutors are examining the case as an “aggravated assault.” While Raise the Colours denied involvement, the group later claimed on social media that it had only started travelling to France recently, raising questions about the timeline of its activities.
Social media posts linked to the movement show activists on France’s northern beaches. In one video posted in November, a man filmed himself on a French beach claiming he had found an inflatable boat buried in the sand and slashed it to prevent it from being used.
“That is not going to England,” the man said in the video. He later identified himself online as Ryan Bridge.
In another video, the same man was seen wading into the sea while shouting at migrants boarding a small dinghy. He told them they were not welcome in the UK and made offensive remarks, accusing them of being criminals. In a third video, he filmed himself in Paris speaking to people he described as potential migrants.
AFP journalists also reported seeing individuals carrying British symbols on a beach near Gravelines in early December, further highlighting concerns about foreign activists operating in the area.
Humanitarian organisations in France welcomed the travel ban, though some said it came too late. Paul Alauzy of Médecins du Monde said the decision was an important step against “far-right activists who spread hatred and target extremely vulnerable people simply seeking safety.”
A spokesperson for L’Auberge des Migrants, a charity supporting migrants in northern France, said aid groups had been raising alarms since May last year. She said they had received reports of migrants being attacked, tasered, and even suffering broken limbs due to assaults.
The situation reflects broader tensions around migration in Europe. In the UK, the arrival of migrants by small boats reached its second-highest level since crossings began in 2018. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has struggled to bring the numbers down, despite tougher border policies.
The issue has been seized upon by the anti-immigration Reform Party led by Nigel Farage, while far-right activism has become more visible through symbols such as British and English flags.
As France and the UK continue to face pressure over migration, French authorities have made clear that foreign activists attempting to intimidate migrants or interfere with rescue and border operations will not be tolerated.