{
  "id": 5252472,
  "title": "Channel smuggling gangs resort to 'mega-dinghies' as crackdown limits small boat supply",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/channel-smuggling-gangs-resort-to-mega-dinghies-as-crackdown-limits",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T05:00:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3rn93de9eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "People smugglers are turning to mega-dinghies as limited supplies of small boats hinder their operations, according to a BBC investigation. The UK and France are increasing police presence on the French coast to curb the influx of migrants. Gangs are preparing additional mega-dinghies, with crossing fees reaching up to €2,000 per person, up from €1,300 a year ago. French police claim to be intercepting two-thirds of small boats before they reach the coast, leading to fewer opportunities for crossings. The migrants are now required to pay in cash to ensure commitment. In one instance, a dozen migrants waded into the Channel from Gravelines beach, with a taxi boat already waiting. The boat, which had departed from Belgium, was forced to set off from a greater distance due to the lack of smaller boats. Small boat arrivals to the UK have decreased by 43% compared to the previous year, with 16,513 people crossing from France between January and September 2026. These crossings account for 40% of asylum applications between July 2025 and June 2026.",
  "summary": "Once-rival criminal groups are being forced to work together because of a shortage of small boats, a BBC investigation has found.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Channel smuggling gangs resort to 'mega-dinghies' as crackdown limits small boat supply",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/channel-smuggling-gangs-resort-to-mega-dinghies-as-crackdown-limits-5255931",
        "published": "2026-09-03T05:00:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}