Panic in France as seaside towns ‘terrorised’ by asylum seekers ‘chanting Allahu Akbar’

People living in small seaside towns along the northern coast of France say their daily lives have changed in a frightening way. Towns like Gravelines, Dunkirk and Calais, which used to be known for quiet beaches and peaceful neighbourhoods, are now dealing with constant tension and fear.

Residents say groups of migrants regularly gather near the shores, waiting for the right moment to attempt the dangerous journey across the English Channel to Britain. Because so many people are stuck in these areas, unable to cross and frustrated by delays, clashes and disorder have become more frequent.

A woman from Gravelines said the situation has become unbearable. She explained that local families feel unsafe in their own streets because groups of migrants sometimes move in large numbers through neighbourhoods, causing noise, damage and stress.

She said it’s not only a problem between the migrants and the police  residents themselves are now being affected. Cars have been scratched or smashed, fences have been broken, and people worry about leaving their homes at night.

She added that whenever a boat launch fails, emotions run high. Some migrants, frustrated and desperate to reach Britain, end up fighting with police or acting out in the town.

A video reviewed by GB News shows a large group of migrants  around 100 of them  wearing bright orange life jackets and walking through a residential area in the early hours of the morning. They looked angry and were shouting loudly, some chanting “Allahu Akbar” while throwing rocks at police vehicles. The footage makes it clear that these clashes are happening right next to people’s homes, not far away on deserted beaches.

Conditions are not any better in the camps located inland. One of the biggest camps, in Loon-Plage near Dunkirk, has seen several deadly shootings in the past year. These incidents are believed to be connected to violent disputes between human smuggling networks.

Some migrants try to cross the Channel without paying the smugglers, which leads to attacks, threats and violent reprisals. People living nearby say they hear gunshots and fights during the night and are afraid to walk around the area after dark.

Police officers say the beaches near Gravelines and Dunkirk have turned into regular battlegrounds. When large groups of migrants run toward the sea all at once, officers sometimes have no option but to use tear gas to push them back.

According to a maritime security source, the simple act of migrants wearing life jackets encourages more attempts, because it means they are ready to run into the water at any moment. He believes the police should remove life jackets whenever possible to prevent sudden mass attempts at launching boats.

New data shows that French police are now stopping fewer attempted crossings than before. Since the “one-in, one-out” deal between the UK and France began in August, police have successfully prevented 28.7% of crossing attempts.

But this number is almost 10% lower compared to the previous 13-week period. This drop has raised concerns that the agreement is not working as planned, or that smugglers are adapting their methods faster than police can respond.

Local business owners and families say they are feeling the pressure more each day. Shops have been broken into, beach huts have been vandalised with graffiti, and items like bikes, tools and outdoor equipment are being stolen more often.

In some areas, thefts have increased by over 30% in just half a year. Many residents say they no longer feel relaxed walking near the beaches, especially in the evening.

In Calais, where thousands of asylum seekers from countries such as Eritrea, Sudan and Afghanistan are living in makeshift shelters, tensions regularly spill into public spaces. Some neighbourhoods have seen arguments, fights and overcrowding around parks, bus stops and local shops. As a result, a few schools have been forced to close temporarily, and some areas have introduced curfews to protect children and maintain order.

Officials fear the situation could grow even more dangerous as winter approaches. Rough sea conditions and freezing temperatures will make crossings harder and more unpredictable, leaving many migrants stuck for longer periods in already overcrowded camps.

When people feel trapped, hungry, cold and hopeless, frustration rises quickly, and authorities are worried that both violence and unrest will increase dramatically.

Residents say they just want their towns to feel normal again. They want to walk outside without fear, protect their property, and allow their children to play freely. But many feel that unless a bigger solution is found  one that addresses both the humanitarian needs of migrants and the safety of local communities  the situation will continue to worsen as each day passes.