France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions 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 the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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