France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Connected Developments
- Why Britain can't just return asylum seekers to France
- French government backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
