France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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