French police arrested five British far-right activists as they were filming themselves harassing migrants near the northern Channel port of Dunkirk, the local prefecture announced on Saturday.
The five people, from an “ultra-right movement” were arrested on Thursday while broadcasting live footage online, said a statement Saturday from the local prefecture. They were carrying four tear gas bombs when arrested.
They were held for “taking part in a group formed to prepare violence against people” and for carrying classified weapons without a legitimate reason, the statement added.
After being detained they were held in custody while arrangements were made for their expulsion from France.
The group had been travelling along the north coast of France in a minibus they had named the Battle Bus, said the prefecture.
In January, two Britons suspected of having come to France to take part in a banned anti-migrant action in the Channel port of Calais were arrested and deported.
Ten other British far-right activists had been banned from French territory in mid-January after being accused of violence in previous months against migrants on the French coast.
Sometimes violent anti-migrant protests have occurred across the Channel in England, as would-be asylum-seekers continue to attempt to make the perilous crossing from France.
The issue of migrants has become a contentious topic in both countries, in Britain leading to a surge in support for the far-right, anti-migrant Reform UK party.