French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative 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 exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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