French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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