France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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