France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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