French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting 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 officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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- French government backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
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