France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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