French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just return migrants to France
- France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
