French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
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 propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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- Reasons UK can't just send back asylum seekers to France
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UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
