French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Connected Updates
- Why UK cannot just return migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
