France will start stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping 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 urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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