French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade 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 cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
