France will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative 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 statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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