French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding 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 again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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