French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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