France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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