French police unions have thrown a major spanner in the works, leaving Starmer’s “smash the gangs” promise in tatters.

Starmer’s plan to ‘smash the gangs’ has been left in tatters (Image: Getty)

Keir Starmer’s notorious “smash the gangs” plan has been left in tatters after French police refused to prevent small-boat migrants from crossing the Channel by disabling their vessels. French police unions have thrown a spanner in the works as they have halted proposals for police to stop the dinghies using methods such as disabling their propellers.

Unions are warning such actions to forcibly divert vessels risk prosecution if migrants die. Alliance, France’s biggest police union, says the measures are too dangerous. A senior source warned that stopping boats at sea or forcing them to turn around is “extremely dangerous,” particularly when they are overcrowded and carrying women and children.

France agreed to intercept small boats just months ago (Image: Getty)

This follows months of lobbying by the UK, after which France agreed to implement the July plan between Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron that allows police to stop boats in shallow waters.

In a letter to Macron, Starmer urged him to back the plan, saying there was “no effective deterrent” in the Channel. This meant French security forces are allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they’ve picked up their passengers.

In July 2025 a French maritime police spokesperson confirmed officers would start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life. However, Alliance now claim this is too dangerous, considering it a risk to officers and civilians.

Alliance claim the measures are ‘extremely dangerous’ (Image: Getty)

Last night the Home Office insisted that the Government was still “committed to working in partnership” with the French to “drive down small–boat crossings and break the model of the criminal smuggling gangs”.

French prosecutors will not waive criminal liability for officers carrying out dangerous sea interceptions, an Interior Ministry source has said, adding: “There will be no protection from prosecution if things go wrong.”

The French Navy has also warned against intervening at sea, saying it could “easily end in disaster, including drownings.”

In repsonse Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted Starmer’s promises as “gimmicks that won’t happen”.

“Starmer has admitted there is no deterrent. Illegal immigrants have flooded the Channel since Labour cancelled Rwanda,” Philp said.

“The Conservative plan to leave the European Convention on Human Rights will allow speedy deportations and stop the crossings.”