French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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