French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade 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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