French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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