France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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