French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented 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 sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods 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 response.
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