French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK can't just return migrants to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
