French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the plan 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 picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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