France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision 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 departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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