France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain cannot just return migrants to France
- French government withdrawing from pledge to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
