France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
