France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking 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 approached for response.
Connected Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory
- French government backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
