French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust 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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