French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision 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 previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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