French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just return migrants to French territory
- French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
