France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing 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 previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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