French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
Connected Updates
- Why Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to France
- French government backing away from commitment to stop migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
