French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways 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 comment.
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