French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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