France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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