French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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