France will start stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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