France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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