French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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