French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, 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 vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade 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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