French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative 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 official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods 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 contacted for response.
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