French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks 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 approached for response.
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