French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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