French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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