French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt 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 response.
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