French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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