French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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