French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before 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 human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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