France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials 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 uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Related Updates
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory
- French government backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
