France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for 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 contacted for response.
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