French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Updates
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory
- French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
