French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways 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 contacted for comment.
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