France will start stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
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 official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Why UK cannot just return migrants to France
- French government backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
