France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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