France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant 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 postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, 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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