Key Takeaways
- France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
- French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they’ve picked up their passengers.
- The change in policy comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote to President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to back the plan and stating that there is currently "no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
- French authorities will intervene at sea with the aim of safeguarding human life, but will not use nets to intercept boats.
Introduction to the Change in Policy
The French government has announced a significant change in its policy towards small boats crossing the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK. The decision to intercept these boats at sea, before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, marks a major shift in the country’s approach to tackling illegal migration. This change in policy comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote to President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to back the plan and stating that there is currently "no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
Background to the Decision
The decision to intercept small boats in the Channel has been a long time coming, with the UK government having urged the French to take action for several months. According to a report in Le Monde, Sir Keir’s letter to President Macron read: "It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month… We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." The French maritime police force has confirmed to the BBC that officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life. This decision is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach earlier in the summer, driven by former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Previous Attempts to Address the Issue
The BBC reported in March that Retailleau wanted these interceptions to begin, but had conceded that it was a difficult issue for his government to solve because of their maritime policing rules. In the run-up to July’s summit between Sir Keir and President Macron, the BBC witnessed French police wading into the sea south of Boulogne to slash the sides of a boat. However, interventions then dropped off, and on the UK side, there seems to be surprise that it has taken so long to resolve the problems Retailleau had already identified and said he would fix. The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, and it remains to be seen how effective this new approach will be in tackling the issue of illegal migration.
Challenges Ahead
The French authorities will face several challenges in implementing this new policy, not least the strong winds that are currently delaying the start of interceptions. The people-smuggling gangs will also be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. A UK government spokesperson said: "We continue to work closely with our French partners on the shared challenge of illegal migration, and we have already worked to ensure officers in France review their maritime tactics so they can intervene in the shallow waters." It is unclear how the small boats will be stopped, but the French maritime police spokesperson has ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which Le Monde has previously reported could be used to snarl the propellers of the boats.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The decision by the French government to intercept small boats in the Channel marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to tackling illegal migration. While there are challenges ahead, this new policy has the potential to make a major impact on the issue. The UK and French governments will need to continue working closely together to ensure that this new approach is effective and that the people-smuggling gangs are unable to adapt and evade interception. As the situation develops, it will be important to monitor the effectiveness of this new policy and to make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it is achieving its intended goals. With the strong winds currently delaying the start of interceptions, it remains to be seen how quickly the French authorities will be able to implement this new policy and start making a meaningful impact on the issue of illegal migration.
