French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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