French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Related Developments
- Reasons UK cannot just send back migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
