France will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust 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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