France will start stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Updates
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
