British far-right activists are increasingly emboldened in their efforts to intimidate and harass asylum seekers in northern France, where hundreds of refugees sleep before attempting to cross into the UK.
Recent instances of vandalism, including graffiti depicting a hangman's noose with a figure dangling next to the word "migrant" and a Jewish Star of David surrounded by red swastikas near an asylum camp in Dunkirk, have sent shockwaves among migrant supporters. The chilling images were posted on social media platforms, with one group describing them as evidence of the normalization of extreme right-wing rhetoric.
Lachlan Macrae, a member of the Calais Food Collective, told The Guardian that British far-right activists had grown bolder in their efforts to intimidate migrants. "The reason why they're coming out and doing this stuff is because they're emboldened," he said. "They come with bulletproof vests and go on to the beaches, harassing people and streaming content online."
Macrae noted that far-right groups in Calais had become increasingly common since mainstream British politics shifted to the right. "As the ground is ceded to the far right, the far right has grown in response," he said.
French migrant support groups have reported an increase in vandalism targeting water tanks and other essential supplies for asylum seekers. Activists from groups like Raise the Colours have also been spotted confronting migrants on French beaches, with some incidents leaving asylum seekers feeling fearful and intimidated.
Raise the Colours' leader, Daniel Thomas, has launched a new operation called Operation Overlord, which aims to "stop the boats" by providing support for far-right activists in northern France. The group has recruited thousands of supporters online, including ex-military personnel who are willing to patrol French beaches 24/7.
However, experts say that these efforts have failed to deter asylum seekers from attempting to cross the Channel. In fact, over 41,000 people have made it across the English Channel in 2025, with no indication that the far-right's tactics will be effective in preventing further crossings.
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, said: "The vile harassment and threatening behavior of these far-right actors is appalling, but let's be clear, they're achieving nothing other than gathering social media views."
The UK Home Office has declined to comment on whether government or police are taking action against far-right activists who have traveled to France to intimidate asylum seekers. Instead, the department has focused on promoting its own efforts to deter small boat crossings through joint work with the French.
As tensions rise between far-right groups in the UK and northern France, migrant supporters fear that a new rivalry will only increase the dangers faced by asylum seekers.
Recent instances of vandalism, including graffiti depicting a hangman's noose with a figure dangling next to the word "migrant" and a Jewish Star of David surrounded by red swastikas near an asylum camp in Dunkirk, have sent shockwaves among migrant supporters. The chilling images were posted on social media platforms, with one group describing them as evidence of the normalization of extreme right-wing rhetoric.
Lachlan Macrae, a member of the Calais Food Collective, told The Guardian that British far-right activists had grown bolder in their efforts to intimidate migrants. "The reason why they're coming out and doing this stuff is because they're emboldened," he said. "They come with bulletproof vests and go on to the beaches, harassing people and streaming content online."
Macrae noted that far-right groups in Calais had become increasingly common since mainstream British politics shifted to the right. "As the ground is ceded to the far right, the far right has grown in response," he said.
French migrant support groups have reported an increase in vandalism targeting water tanks and other essential supplies for asylum seekers. Activists from groups like Raise the Colours have also been spotted confronting migrants on French beaches, with some incidents leaving asylum seekers feeling fearful and intimidated.
Raise the Colours' leader, Daniel Thomas, has launched a new operation called Operation Overlord, which aims to "stop the boats" by providing support for far-right activists in northern France. The group has recruited thousands of supporters online, including ex-military personnel who are willing to patrol French beaches 24/7.
However, experts say that these efforts have failed to deter asylum seekers from attempting to cross the Channel. In fact, over 41,000 people have made it across the English Channel in 2025, with no indication that the far-right's tactics will be effective in preventing further crossings.
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, said: "The vile harassment and threatening behavior of these far-right actors is appalling, but let's be clear, they're achieving nothing other than gathering social media views."
The UK Home Office has declined to comment on whether government or police are taking action against far-right activists who have traveled to France to intimidate asylum seekers. Instead, the department has focused on promoting its own efforts to deter small boat crossings through joint work with the French.
As tensions rise between far-right groups in the UK and northern France, migrant supporters fear that a new rivalry will only increase the dangers faced by asylum seekers.
I just got back from the most random trip to Paris and had the craziest thought while eating at this tiny café... what if we made every beach in Europe into giant art galleries? Like, instead of graffiti being a problem, it could be a way for people to express themselves and show solidarity with asylum seekers. 
And can you imagine the Instagram posts? 
I mean, I know it sounds far-fetched, but sometimes I think we need to think outside the box (or in this case, the beach) when dealing with complex issues like migration. 
these far right idiots think they can just intimidate people into not crossing the channel its not gonna work anyone who wants to escape poverty and war is gonna find a way out and if you're brave enough to come for us we'll be back and you know what that means a big ol' welcoming party with some good old fashioned British hospitality lol
Just saw some wild stuff going down in Calais 
. Far-right activists are getting bolder & bolder, and it's like they think they can just intimidate people into staying away? 
. I mean, I get it, the system's messed up & people need help, but resorting to hate speech & violence is never the answer 
.
. We can't just sit back & let these groups spread their poison 
. The gov needs to do better than just saying they're 'monitoring' the situation 
.
. And we need to stop letting these far-right groups get a platform 
. It's time to amplify the voices of real change-makers, not just clickbait provocateurs 
.
.
just saw this news about british far right activists going after asylum seekers in northern france... it's disgusting 
and got me thinking why are we still hosting these kinds of people on our forum? 
it's like our moderators are just sitting back and letting these incidents happen... 
I'm getting really worried about what's going on in Calais right now. These British far-right activists are literally intimidating asylum seekers, vandalizing their camps, and even confronting them on beaches. 
I mean, what's next? Are we going to see more people getting hurt because of these far-right groups?
We need to protect these people who are just trying to escape war, poverty, or persecution. They deserve our compassion and our support, not our scorn and aggression.
meanwhile 41k+ ppl are still tryna make it across the channel & get some kinda life in england 
these british far right activists are getting out of control 
but newsflash: ppl will still risk it to seek a better life 
and meanwhile, far right groups are recruiting ex military personnel to patrol beaches 24/7 
any way, i just hope migrant support groups stay vigilant & report these incidents to the authorities 
we need to stand up against hate speech & violence 
. I mean, who gives those guys a free pass to cause harm just because they want to "stop the boats"? Not me, that's for sure 
. It's not just about stopping them, it's about treating all people with respect and dignity 
.
. They're just trying to escape war, persecution, or poverty – they shouldn't be facing intimidation and harassment from people who are supposed to be civilized 
.
. We should be working together to support these people, not pitting them against some far-right groups 
I heard it's some far-right groups that are doing it, but what's wrong with them? Can't they see that refugees need help too? 
Sorry, what were we talking about again? 
. Who do they think they're fooling by dressing up like some kinda vigilantes? Newsflash: the pics of them vandalizing camps and harassing migrants is just gonna make people wanna keep trying to get across 
.
.