France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
