French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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