French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions 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 the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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