French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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