French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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