French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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