France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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