France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Related Developments
- Reasons UK can't just send back asylum seekers to France
- France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
