French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches 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 people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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