France will start stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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