French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, 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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