France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions 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 comment.
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