France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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