France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
