French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, 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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