French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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