A “bizarre” rule which bans French police from entering shallow waters to stop migrant boats heading for the UK is set to be scrapped, a Government minister has signalled.
Matthew Pennycook stressed the reform was part of a series of changes which he claimed would allow Britain to cut the number of economic migrants and asylum seekers reaching its shores.
The BBC reported that the French authorities are seeking to bring in a new “maritime doctrine” from the start of July so special squads can intercept migrant dinghies up to 300 metres from France’s shoreline.
“This slightly bizarre fact that the French police due to current law in France cannot intervene in shallow waters if a boat is just ten yards off sea in shallow waters, French police can’t wade in,” said housing minister Mr Pennycook, who was on the media round for the Government on Wednesday.
“We are negotiating for the first time changes with the French authorities that will allow them to intervene.”
However, there are reports that the French police unions are raising concerns over the changes to the rules amid concerns that officers could end up in court if migrants drown after they intervene.
French police are already adopting more robust tactics, including the use of tear gas, to try to stop so many small boats leaving northern France.
They are using drones to spot boats along a 75-mile stretch of coastline which is policed by hundreds of officers and claim two thirds of vessels are prevented from leaving.
“The police will be able to do more… if the rules governing our actions at sea are changed,” French police Colonel Olivier Alary told the BBC.
“It’s essential that we don’t create panic and endanger these people further. If the rules change to allow us to intervene against these taxi boats, as close as possible to the shore, then we’ll be able… to be more effective.”
The crime gangs are continually adapting their tactics and are now using their often unseaworthy, inflatable vessels as “taxi-boats” running along the coast to pick up migrants in shallow waters, leaving the police unable to intervene.
Around two thirds of migrants who reach the UK are granted asylum, according to reports.
Mr Pennycook also stressed that the UK was introducing counter terrorism-style powers to target the gangs behind the human trafficking trade across the Channel.
He rejected suggestions that the Government had failed in its efforts to tackle the “small boats” crisis despite some 17,000 migrants having already arrived in the UK this year.
“I don’t think that is the case,” he said.
“We inherited an immigration and asylum system in complete chaos.
“We have got to restore order but there was never going to be a quick overnight fix on this.”
However, the Tories and Reform UK have accused the Government of failing to slow the number of migrants crossing the Channel.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “So far, this is already the worst year on record. Labour have failed on every front, and they should hang their heads in shame.”
