French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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