French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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