France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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