French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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