French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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