France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great 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 spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Why UK cannot just return migrants to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
