France will start stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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