France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, 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 officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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