French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers 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 intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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