France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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