French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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