French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" 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 passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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