Hundreds of Police Nationale officers have been deployed to the northern beaches of France with strict orders to prevent any migrant boats from crossing the English Channel. The heavy police presence, which includes officers armed with riot gear and tear gas, is part of a large-scale operation aimed at stopping all crossings to the UK, according to police sources.

The operation, which began at dusk on Sunday, has seen search and rescue boats and a French surveillance aircraft patrolling the waters and coastline. The officers have been instructed to prevent any boats from reaching British waters under any circumstances, following orders from higher authorities.

As dawn broke on Monday, police forces intensified their patrols, particularly around the beaches of Sangatte, where they have been using tear gas and drones to monitor the area. This heightened security comes amidst reports that a large group of over 1,500 migrants, primarily from Sudan, have gathered in a warehouse near Calais, hoping to make the perilous journey across the Channel.

The migrants, aware of the increased police presence, fear that if they fail to cross, they could face forceful removal from the Calais area by the authorities. The situation remains tense, with police determined to prevent any boats from launching, and migrants desperate to reach the UK before being moved on.

This crackdown marks a significant escalation in the ongoing efforts by French and British authorities to manage the surge of migrant crossings in the Channel, which has become a highly politicized issue on both sides of the water.