French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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