French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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