French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping 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 President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
Related Updates
- Why Britain cannot just send back migrants to French territory
- France backing away from pledge to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
