French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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