French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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