France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Why Britain can't just return migrants to France
- France backing away from commitment to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
