French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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