France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade 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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