French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline 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 no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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