French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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