French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out 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 intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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