09/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The UK has approved plans to turn back boats that are illegally transporting migrants to its shores from France, Reuters reported on Thursday 9 September. As thousands of small boats have attempted to cross from France to England since the beginning of the year, British border services officers will be trained to force boats away from their waters. A legal basis for border officials to deploy the new strategy will be developed. “France will not accept any practice contrary to maritime law or any financial blackmail”, stated French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on 9 September at a G7 meeting of Ministers for Home Affairs. In July, France and Britain decided to deploy more police and invest in crossing detection technology. (SP)