France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed 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 currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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