French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized 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 stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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