France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
Related Developments
- Why Britain can't just send back migrants to France
- French government backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
