France will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however 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 looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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