French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great 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."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Connected Updates
- Reasons UK can't just return asylum seekers to French territory
- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
