French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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- Why Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
UK immigration
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