French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police 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 rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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