French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, 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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