French authorities to begin 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 UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade 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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