France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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