French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start 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 sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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