France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left 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 witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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