France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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