France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely 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 deploy these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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