France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" 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 migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French 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 stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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