French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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