French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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