France will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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