France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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