French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded 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 intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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