French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
Related Updates
- Why UK can't just send back asylum seekers to France
- French government backing away from commitment to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
