French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, 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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