French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain can't just return asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
