French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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