French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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