French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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