France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English 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 French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Why UK cannot just send back asylum seekers to France
- France backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
