France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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