France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
Connected Updates
- Why Britain can't just return asylum seekers to France
- France withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
