French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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