France will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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