France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim 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 disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Related Updates
- Why UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security