France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" 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 passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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