French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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