French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded 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 officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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