French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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