France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Why Britain can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory
- French government backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
