France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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