France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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