French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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