France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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