French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking 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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