France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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