France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
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 ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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