French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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