French police slash migrant boat filled with people for FIRST time before it leaves shore

The intervention forced dozens of people, including women and children, to abandon their crossing attempt as their vessel began to sink.

Cooper described the approach as a "different" and "welcome" strategy.

"We've seen criminal gangs this year really exploiting the fact that the French rules for too long have meant that they could not intervene in French waters," Cooper said.

"The French interior minister has been determined to change those rules."

The new approach represents a major policy reversal as French authorities had previously refused water interventions, citing maritime law concerns about endangering lives at sea.

French ministers have now authorised the interventions whilst maintaining they will "respect" the "law of the sea".

The tactical change comes as Channel crossings reach unprecedented levels.

A record 20,422 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year, marking a nearly 50 per cent increase compared to last year.

This represents the highest number recorded in the first six months of any year since crossings began in 2018 - June alone saw 5,170 arrivals.

GB News has also revealed that the total number of crossings made since Sir Keir Starmer came to power a year ago now stands above 44,000 - a figure which puts the Prime Minister's tally 40 per cent up compared to his predecessor Rishi Sunak.

Despite a three-year £480million Anglo-French agreement to combat crossings, French authorities have stopped fewer than 40 per cent of boats this year, the lowest proportion on record.

However, new strategy involves French border police and gendarmes intervening in shallow waters within 300 metres of the shore to prevent boats from departing.

The expanded approach is expected to be formally unveiled at next week's Anglo-French summit during Emmanuel Macron's three-day state visit to the UK.

Cooper revealed she has been in discussions with French authorities about intercepting people smugglers' taxi boats not only in shallow coastal waters but also as they travel from rivers and inland waterways to collect migrants.

"I've been talking to the French interior minister about the importance of action in French waters," Cooper said.

"That's what we need in order to prevent boat crossings."

The Home Secretary also confirmed that Britain's small boats operational command has been collaborating closely with French authorities to develop these intervention options.

Cooper announced that every migrant arriving on a boat where someone has died should face prosecution.

"I think it's just totally appalling that you see boats where children are being crushed to death on these overcrowded boats, and yet the boat still continues to the UK," she said.

Labour's new borders Bill, currently before Parliament, would create an offence targeting migrants who prevent rescue offers at sea or use physical aggression, intimidation or coercive behaviour to overload vessels.

Those convicted could even face up to five years in prison.

"Frankly, I want to see everybody who is arriving on a boat where a child's life has been lost, frankly, should be facing prosecution, either in the UK or in France," Cooper concluded.