French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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