French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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