French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no 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 passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just send back migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
