France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan 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 exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, 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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