French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Related Developments
- Reasons UK cannot just return migrants to French territory
- French government backing away from pledge to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
