France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely 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 crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for 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 contacted for comment.
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