France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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