France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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