France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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