France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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