France will start stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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