France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Related Developments
- Why Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to France
- French government backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security