France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways 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.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
