France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
Related Developments
- Why UK cannot just send back migrants to France
- France withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
