France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no 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 passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons Britain cannot just return migrants to France
- French government backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
