French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister 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 allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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