France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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