French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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