France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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