France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust 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.
Related Updates
- Reasons UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
