French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following 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 comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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