France to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
Related Developments
- Why Britain can't just return migrants to France
- France withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats
