France to begin stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Related Developments
- Reasons Britain can't just send back migrants to French territory
- France withdrawing from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
