France to begin stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, 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 hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Updates
- Reasons UK can't just send back migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
