French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Connected Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just send back migrants to France
- France backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
