French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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