French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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