France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after 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 will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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