France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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