French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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