France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
