French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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