France will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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