French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
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 damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, 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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