France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying 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 previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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