French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
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 authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
