French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
