French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
That was highlighted 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 damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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