France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Updates
- Why Britain cannot just return migrants to France
- France backing away from pledge to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
