French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons UK can't just send back migrants to France
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop asylum boats
