French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to France
- French government backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
