French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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