France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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