France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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