France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now 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 uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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