France will start intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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