French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no 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 intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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