French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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