French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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- Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
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