French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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