France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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