French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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