France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons UK cannot just return migrants to France
- France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
