France agrees to stop migrant boats at sea after pressure from Starmer

1. News
2. UK
3. Home News

French police agree to intercept migrant ‘taxi boats’ at sea, according to reports

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world

Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email

Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

French police will intercept small boats at sea in an attempt to stop migrants crossing the Channel, according to reports.

A document seen by French newspaper Le Monde, signed by four prefectures in the north of France, agrees that maritime police will start “planned operations” to intercept the dinghies. The push-backs will start initially at sea, and then be conducted in the “inland waters” of ports and channels, the paper reported.

Sir Keir Starmer reportedly sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron putting pressure on him to act on small boat crossings. The letter, quoted by French media, says: “It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month...We have no effective deterrent in the Channel”.

France’s maritime gendarmerie will attempt to intercept ‘taxi boat’ dinghies that cruise along the shore to pick up migrants wanting to cross the Channel. They are referred to as ‘taxi boats’ because they wait offshore for migrants to wade out to them.

The method has grown because the French police have previously been wary of intervening once the dinghy is in the water. Now police boats will try to stop the small boats, with one vessel dedicated to rescue operations, Le Monde reported.

This is a developing story. More to follow...

More about

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Most popular

Popular videos

Bulletin

Read next