French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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