France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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