French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, 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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