French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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