French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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