French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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