France to begin stopping small boats in 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 United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers 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 commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Connected Developments
- Why Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
