France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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