France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats 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 President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent 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 zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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