French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Why UK cannot just send back migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop migrant boats
