French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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