French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways 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 comment.
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