France will start stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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