French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
Related Developments
- Why UK cannot just return migrants to France
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
