French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK cannot just return migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
