French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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