French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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