French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left government.
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 vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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