France will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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