French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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