French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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