French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain can't just return asylum seekers to French territory
- France withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats
