French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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