France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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UK immigration
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