See What Bold Anti-Migrant Activist Did After Intercepting a Boat Carrying Illegal Migrants on the Sea as They Made Their Way to the UK

A video showing anti-migration activist Daniel Thomas, also known online as Danny Tommo, apparently using a knife to damage a small migrant boat in the English Channel has sparked strong reactions online.

The footage appears to show Thomas leaning over the side of a speedboat while holding a knife and attempting to puncture the inflatable dinghy. According to the report, a person believed to be involved in the rescue operation was still on the migrant boat at the time.

Thomas, who is known for his involvement in anti-migration protests and is an associate of activist Tommy Robinson, livestreamed footage of the incident on YouTube. The video quickly began circulating on social media, where critics accused him of going too far.

The incident happened during another dramatic day in the English Channel as authorities responded to a migrant boat that had spent more than a day at sea.

Earlier, two RNLI lifeboats had been sent to help a dinghy heading towards the UK. The boat had reportedly travelled from near Vierville-sur-Mer, west of Bayeux in Normandy, which is much farther west than the areas where many Channel crossings normally begin.

The French coastguard said around 60 migrants were on board and that the vessel had spent more than 33 hours at sea in dangerous conditions. According to French authorities, those on board had previously refused assistance because they were determined to continue towards Britain despite the risks involved.

Reports suggested the dinghy was in poor condition and sitting very low in the water, with only a small outboard motor powering it. Although the sea was reportedly calm and weather conditions were favourable, authorities continued monitoring the vessel as it made its way across the Channel.

The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency said those involved were expected to be transferred to Border Security Command following the rescue operation. The RNLI also confirmed that two of its lifeboats had been tasked by HM Coastguard to respond to an incident in the Channel.

Thomas is the founder of the anti-migration group Patriot Platform and has previously been involved in demonstrations over small-boat crossings. According to the report, he was a leader of a protest in Portsmouth and also organised a demonstration in Dover.

The footage of the latest incident led to criticism on social media, with campaign group Stand Up to Racism condemning Thomas’s actions. Other social media users also criticised what they saw in the video and called for authorities to investigate.

Police later confirmed that they were aware of footage circulating online showing damage being caused to a boat in the English Channel on September 22. Hampshire Constabulary said officers were making inquiries into the matter.

The incident comes at a time when Channel crossings remain a major issue for the Government. Just one day earlier, five people were detained after a dinghy managed to reach the coast at Folkestone without being intercepted before reaching land. According to the report, it was the first officially recorded unescorted small-boat landing on the UK coast for around a year.

Defence minister Luke Pollard rejected suggestions that the incident showed the Government had lost control of Britain’s borders. He said the borders were secure but acknowledged that the Government wanted to make them stronger. He also said a Home Office investigation was examining how the boat had managed to reach the coast without being intercepted.

Most migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats are intercepted or rescued and then brought ashore by British authorities or the RNLI. Before the Folkestone incident, the report said there had been no officially recorded case of a small boat reaching the UK coast without an escort since September 6, 2025.

Absolutely shocking behaviour. Lock him up – he’s out of control. Danny Tommo slashes a migrant’s rubber dinghy just as rescuers complete their final checks on board during a rescue operation in the English Channel. pic.twitter.com/OktvXIs6mS— The Rev. Anton Mittens 🌹👮🎓 (@MittensOff) September 22, 2026

The Government has maintained that Border Security Command continues to monitor Britain’s borders and process people arriving in small boats. Meanwhile, the police inquiry into the footage involving Thomas adds another issue to an already intense debate surrounding Channel crossings, rescue operations and protests against illegal migration.