France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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