French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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