France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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