French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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