France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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