French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting 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 snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain cannot just send back migrants to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
