France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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