French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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