French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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