France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
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 police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just return asylum seekers to France
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
