French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to evade 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.
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