French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding 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 engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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