French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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