French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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