France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative 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 migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"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 intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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