French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months 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 saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing 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 previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
