French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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