French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating 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 collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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