France will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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