French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.

Related Developments

• Why UK cannot just send back migrants to French territory
• France withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats