France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
Related Developments
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- France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
