French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
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 infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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