France will start stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging 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 statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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