France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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