French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
Connected Developments
- Reasons UK cannot just send back migrants to French territory
- France backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
