French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before 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 viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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