French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods 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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