French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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