France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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