French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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