France to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to France
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security