French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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