France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid 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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