French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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