France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure 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 plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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