French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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