French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently 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, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
