France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
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 previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Connected Updates
- Reasons UK can't just send back asylum seekers to France
- French government withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats
