French unions block proposals for border patrols to intercept migrant boats

Unions in France have rejected proposals for French border control to intercept migrants on the beaches as they try to board the small boats.

Unions are saying it would be too dangerous to intercept the overcrowded “taxi boats” heading across the English Channel for the UK.

French police are not allowed to stop the small boats once they are in the water due to a loophole. However, French police can puncture the boats prior to them being put in the water.

France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said, “We have to review our organisation so that we can board these boats… arriving to pick up migrants.”

A senior source at Alliance, which is the largest police union in France said, “People don’t seem to realise how dangerous it is to try to carry out arrests at sea, while trying to force a boat to change course.

“If there are 80 people on an overcrowded boat, including women and children, then it is extremely dangerous to try to stop them.

“The potential for disaster, including further deaths, is immense. Turning us into sea police is not the way forward.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said, “Belgium has been very successfully intercepting returning boats at sea and has almost entirely stopped embarkations.

Trade unions and the Left have no interest in stopping illegal immigration.”

A source at the maritime branch of the General Confederation of Labour told The Sun, “If a potentially vulnerable boat is stable then it should not be interfered with until it reaches a safe place on the shore.

“Such boats should only be interfered with at sea if they are in serious trouble.”