French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt 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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