French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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