French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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