France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain cannot just send back migrants to French territory
- French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
