French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
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 infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Why UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
