French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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