French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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