France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to French territory
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
