France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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