French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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