French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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