French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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