France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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