France to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade 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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