French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated 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.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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