France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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