French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
