France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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