France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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