France is backing away from a recent commitment to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel, according to multiple sources contacted by the BBC. There is evidence that France's current political turmoil is partly to blame, but it will come as a blow to the UK government's attempts to tackle the issue.
In the meantime, dangerously overcrowded inflatable boats continue to leave the coast on an almost daily basis, from a shallow tidal canal near the port of Dunkirk. While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed frustration at French delays, the BBC has heard from several sources in France that promises of a new maritime doctrine - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.
It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah, said one figure closely linked to French maritime security. The maritime prefecture for the Channel told the BBC that the new doctrine on taxi-boats was still being studied.
Former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was widely credited, not least in the UK, with driving a more aggressive approach in the Channel. That culminated last July with a summit between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
French police rarely intervene against the overcrowded taxi-boats since it's considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
Days before the summit, footage showed French police wading into the sea to slash the sides of a taxi-boat as it drifted close to shore. However, since then, Retailleau has lost his job as a minister amidst several chaotic reshuffles in the French government, which appears to be focused on other crises.
In London, the prime minister's spokesman reacted to the footage, calling it a really significant moment and proof that the French were starting to take tougher action.
The migrant boats continue to leave France, not just from the beaches. A local resident in Gravelines reported seeing four boats leave in a single day, emphasizing the dire situation as police patrol boats circle the departing inflatables without intervening.
Marine experts indicate the shallow Canal de L'Aa is accessible for interception without risking lives; however, legal and moral concerns prevent security forces from acting decisively. The lack of training, personnel, and equipment adds to the challenges faced by French authorities.
Current rules allow intervention only if lives are at imminent risk, and police unions confirm that proposed changes to allow deeper water interventions are currently on hold. With continued migrant exodus and inadequate governmental response, the situation remains critical in the English Channel.
In the meantime, dangerously overcrowded inflatable boats continue to leave the coast on an almost daily basis, from a shallow tidal canal near the port of Dunkirk. While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed frustration at French delays, the BBC has heard from several sources in France that promises of a new maritime doctrine - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.
It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah, said one figure closely linked to French maritime security. The maritime prefecture for the Channel told the BBC that the new doctrine on taxi-boats was still being studied.
Former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was widely credited, not least in the UK, with driving a more aggressive approach in the Channel. That culminated last July with a summit between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
French police rarely intervene against the overcrowded taxi-boats since it's considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
Days before the summit, footage showed French police wading into the sea to slash the sides of a taxi-boat as it drifted close to shore. However, since then, Retailleau has lost his job as a minister amidst several chaotic reshuffles in the French government, which appears to be focused on other crises.
In London, the prime minister's spokesman reacted to the footage, calling it a really significant moment and proof that the French were starting to take tougher action.
The migrant boats continue to leave France, not just from the beaches. A local resident in Gravelines reported seeing four boats leave in a single day, emphasizing the dire situation as police patrol boats circle the departing inflatables without intervening.
Marine experts indicate the shallow Canal de L'Aa is accessible for interception without risking lives; however, legal and moral concerns prevent security forces from acting decisively. The lack of training, personnel, and equipment adds to the challenges faced by French authorities.
Current rules allow intervention only if lives are at imminent risk, and police unions confirm that proposed changes to allow deeper water interventions are currently on hold. With continued migrant exodus and inadequate governmental response, the situation remains critical in the English Channel.
