France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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