French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Related Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just send back migrants to France
- France withdrawing from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
