France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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