France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
Connected Developments
- Why UK can't just send back asylum seekers to France
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats
