French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to France
- France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
