French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" 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 authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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