France and UK 'failing to tackle anti-migrant activists'

UK and French authorities have been accused of “encouraging violent and xenophobic practices” by failing to tackle anti-migrant British activists who travel to northern France in an attempt to stop the boats.

- Diane Taylor

Nine French associations working with people camped in northern France have issued a statement condemning the UK and French governments for lack of action.

The group Raise the Colours, which has organised the hanging of St George and union flags on lampposts and other street furniture across the UK, has launched Operation overlord, a reference to the Normandy landings in the second world war.

On Friday members of the group were in France harassing migrants and searching for dinghies buried in sand dunes to destroy. Some were detained by French police for their actions.

The French association Utopia 56, which works on beaches in northern France where migrants try to cross the Channel, reported them to the French police.