France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed 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 collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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