French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered 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 waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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