French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently 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, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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