French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline 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 zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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Channel crossings
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