French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Why UK cannot just send back migrants to France
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
