France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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