France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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