French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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