First for French: Police puncture packed dinghy

FRENCH police have punctured Channel migrants' inflatable boats at sea for the first time in a long-awaited change of tactics.

- By Martyn Brown

Officers entered the sea near Boulogne armed with knives to slash the dinghies in water that was low enough for the migrants to wade back to shore.

Dozens, including some women and children, had to give up their attempt to reach the UK as the boat started to deflate and sink.

All the migrants safely made their way back to shore.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the move but said more needs to be done.

Significant