French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" 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 authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Developments
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to France
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
