French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking 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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