French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons UK cannot just send back migrants to France
- French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
