France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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