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France has decided to implement new measures to intercept small boats crossing the Channel, responding to ongoing requests from the UK government. This policy shift follows a letter sent by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to President Emmanuel Macron, in which Starmer emphasized the lack of an effective deterrent against these crossings, as reported by Le Monde.
According to the French maritime police, the updated approach will allow officers to intervene at sea, but only before the vessels have taken on passengers. Historically, French authorities have rarely attempted to stop the overcrowded boats from leaving the coastline due to the high risks posed to both law enforcement personnel and migrants. This cautious stance has shaped previous efforts to manage the crossings.
The letter from Sir Keir Starmer, as cited by Le Monde, stressed the urgency of adopting these tactics within the month, highlighting the current lack of deterrence in the Channel. In response, a spokesperson for the French maritime police confirmed that officers will begin to act with a focus on protecting human life. However, they made it clear that certain methods, such as deploying nets to entangle boat propellers, will not be used despite prior media reports suggesting otherwise.
This development marks a notable advancement following the brief period earlier in the year when a tougher interception policy was pursued under former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. Retailleau had advocated for proactive interceptions but acknowledged the challenges due to existing maritime policing regulations. In the lead-up to a July summit between Starmer and Macron, BBC journalists observed French police taking direct action by damaging a boat south of Boulogne, but such interventions soon decreased. There is some frustration on the UK side that resolving the issues identified months ago has taken considerable time. Presently, while French authorities are permitted once again to stop boats before passengers board along northern France’s beaches, details on how these interceptions will be executed remain unclear. Additionally, strong winds have delayed the start of operations, and smuggling networks are expected to continue adapting their tactics to evade interdiction. A UK government spokesperson reaffirmed ongoing cooperation with French counterparts, stating efforts to review and enhance maritime tactics to better address illegal migration are underway
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