French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to France
- French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
