French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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