France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after 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 security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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