France will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, 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 Updates
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to France
- France backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
