French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
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 personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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