French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" 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 confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, 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 authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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