France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" 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 police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded 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 tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Why UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
